Engineers invited to attend van safety briefings

Gas engineers who drive vans regularly as part of their business are being invited to attend one of a series of seminars designed to highlight compliance and operating standards, and the importance of driver health and wellbeing.

The one-day Operational Briefings, organised by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), are taking place in Glasgow, Oxford and Derby. With four million vans on Britain’s roads, the FTA believes it is important businesses ensure their vehicles are operated to the highest standards.

There will be presentations on mental health, stress and managing an aging workforce, with speakers including representatives from men’s mental health charity CALM, the NHS and the FTA’s own van experts.

The seminars are being sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Mark Cartwright, head of vans at the FTA, says: “Driving is the most dangerous activity that most people do at work, yet many businesses assume that, regardless of the number of vans they use, their duty to provide a safe workplace and protect the safety of others does not extend to their vehicles.”

More than 100 people are killed or seriously injured every week in crashes involving someone who is using the road for work, according to road safety charity The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Mark continues: “It is beholden on employers to ensure that they and their staff are working in the best possible conditions, both mentally and physically, to keep trading without incident.”

The seminars are supported by Bott, Brigade Electronics, Hertz and Lex Autolease, and are run by the FTA’s Van Excellence Team.  They are open to all organisations that use vans as part of their daily business, whether that’s a single vehicle or a larger fleet.

The FTA’s Van Excellence Operational Briefings will take place on:

• 10 April at Celtic Park, Glasgow
• 12 April at Kassam Stadium, Oxford
• 19 April at Pride Park in Derby.

Engineers interested in attending one of the seminars can book a place by 03717 11 22 22 or visiting the FTA’s website www.fta.co.uk/events/Van-Excellence-Operational-Briefings-2018.html

Places cost £50 +VAT per person.