The Next Wave
ny operator running 24-7 needs to keep a close eye on drivers’ hours, but Milton Keynes — based Cawleys goes that extra mile to prevent slip-ups. Tachographs are analysed on the spot so traffic controllers have all the necessary information to debrief each driver.
The time lapse between starting the shift and driving off is also scrutinised to see if drivers had sufficient time to complete their daily walk around vehicle check.
For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.
Complete compliance
Transport manager Sara Buckingham says: “We feel it’s a very important part of the day to know exactly what the driver has been doing and has complied with everything we do.”
Cawleys’ fleet ranges from 7.5-tonners for collecting office waste through to liquid tankers that deal with chemical and toxic waste. It operates throughout London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.
Ensure systems and procedures are realistic and workable and review them frequently.
Cawleys has no formal incentive scheme to raise driver productivity for fear of compromising its stance on compliance.
Buckingham says that with skip lorries in particular, some drivers are invariably quicker at completing jobs than others. As a result, they end up doing more work.
Instead, depot managers reward drivers on an ad hoc basis. Drivers are aware of it, but they’re not chasing it.
Cawleys has no formal incentive scheme to raise driver productivity for fear of compromising its stance on compliance.
Ensure systems and procedures are realistic and workable and review them frequently. Keep records up-to-date and publicise ones such as accident rates to help to raise awareness.
Persevere with any changes because the benefits will not always be realised without any hesitation.
In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful.
New legislation is also covered during toolbox talks delivered by the company’s in-house driver trainer Rob Jones. Buckingham describes him as an important contact point for drivers who feel uncertain about any point of law.
For more compliance advice and fleet management best practice, visit our page and sign up for our monthly bulletin.