Briefings to help improve safety in the van industry

With over four million vans on the UK’s roads, it is vital to improve safety and compliance within the industry and help businesses of all sizes professionalise their van operations. 

With this in mind, this spring’s Freight Transport Association Van Excellence Operational Briefings include an unrivalled line-up of speakers, and will explore risk and driver management and discuss best practice and compliance issues.

mercedesThe briefings, which are sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Vans, take place on 1 March at Villa Park, Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham, 23 March in Twickenham and 29 March in Harrogate.  They are designed to assist any van operator, from large fleets to those with just one vehicle, whether they are an FTA member or not.  Delegates attending last year gave the briefings a 93% approval rating.

Van Excellence is an industry-led initiative which aims to enhance standards of van operator compliance, celebrate operators who demonstrate excellence and represent the interests of the van industry.  The scheme was launched in 2010 and recently won a Prince Michael of Kent International Road Safety Award.

Mark Cartwright, FTA’s Head of Vans, said: “Van drivers are typically either employed as an engineer or craftsman who just happens to drive a van or, in the delivery sector, are fairly transient with operators experiencing a high turnover of staff.  This, coupled with extended management structures, makes driver management a challenge and these briefings are aimed at giving businesses the advice and help they need to professionalise their operation and improve safety and compliance.”