CVRT Newsletter

RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
Summary
changes
Roadside checks carried by the Road
Safety Authority (RSA) in 2012 on over
3,500 vehicles, indicates that 1 in 2
commercial vehicles inspected on our
roads were found to have defects.
Disturbingly, 32% of these defects were
defined as serious or dangerous. In
these cases, the truck or bus involved
required immediate attention and was
prohibited from continuing its journey.
The findings come as the RSA implements important changes
to improve the roadworthiness standard of commercial
vehicles, which will make the roads a safer place.
In addition to the problems that are being identified at road
side checks the RSA is also concerned at the number of
vehicles that are not turning up for their legally required
annual roadworthiness test (now called the Commercial
Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) or commonly referred to
still as the DOE Test). Of 1,000 randomly sampled
commercial vehicles aged 5 years, only 70% of the legally
required tests were conducted (i.e. 3,500 out of 5,000). This
means that these vehicles are not being checked to ensure
they are maintained to a proper standard of roadworthiness.
“As road-users, we all have a responsibility to
make sure that the vehicle we are driving is safe
and roadworthy. This is even more important for
owners and operators of large commercial
vehicles, such as buses, trucks, lorries or vans,
as they can pose a significant risk to their drivers,
passengers and other road-users if they are not
properly and safely maintained.”
The RSA’s Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Reform
Programme had its beginnings in the Kenstown and Clara
collisions in which a number of children tragically lost their
lives at a time when there was huge concern about the
standard of our commercial vehicles at home and abroad.
So say the Road Safety Authority.
Over the past few years, the RSA has been making changes
to the way commercial vehicles are tested and maintained
in Ireland. Some significant changes have already taken
place and more are happening. These changes are
important as they will help to ensure that we are all sharing
the road with safe and roadworthy commercial vehicles.
The RSA’s reform focuses on three key areas – making the
roadworthiness test more effective, introducing premises’
checks for operators of commercial vehicles to review their
maintenance system, records and procedures, and
increasing roadside inspections of vehicles by the Road
Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána.
A risk rating system is also being introduced so that
roadside enforcement activity is targeted at higher risk
operators ensuring that compliant operators are less likely
to experience disruption to their daily business.
“While many operators maintain their vehicles
to the highest standards, many others do not.
These operators are making our roads less safe
and are also undercutting operators who are
meeting their legal requirements. Improving the
standard of commercial vehicles will help to
ensure that we are sharing the road with
vehicles that are safe and roadworthy.”
Since 7 October, a new fee, which includes a road safety
levy and the current Certificate of Roadworthiness (‘CRW’)
fee, applies to the annual test. The road safety levy is to
help fund a reform programme which will make our roads
safer for everyone. The reform process has been worked on
since 2007 and there have been no fee increases since then.
The RSA has financed the upfront capital investment in the
new system so that the fee increases would only apply from
the time benefits are being delivered to operators.
The road safety levy is being used to fund an enhanced
testing system which will introduce several administrative
benefits for road transport operators. For example, road
transport operators will no longer have to go to Motor Tax
Offices to obtain their CRW which will automatically issue
to them in the post, they will benefit from online booking
systems, advance notifications of test and reduced
paperwork at the test.
To find out more about the RSA’s Commercial Vehicle
Roadworthiness reform programme visit
www.cvrt.ie
1
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
½ of Commercial Vehicles Inspected
on roads found with defects
› One third of vehicles inspected at the
roadside have dangerous defects
› RSA reform of the system to test
and monitor the roadworthiness
of commercial vehicles in Ireland
already underway
In 2012, a series of roadside inspections by the Road Safety
Authority (RSA), in co-operation with An Garda Síochána
found that 48% of the commercial vehicles checked were
defective. Disturbingly, 32% of these defects were defined
as serious or dangerous. In these cases, the truck or bus
involved required immediate attention and was prohibited
from continuing its journey. This situation is of significant
concern to the RSA and clearly highlights the need to
reform the system of testing and monitoring the
roadworthiness of commercial vehicles in Ireland.
Reforming the current system
To improve the safety of commercial vehicles on our
roads, the RSA is currently implementing a wide-ranging
Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) reform
programme. Responsibility for managing the Commercial
Vehicle Testing system has transferred from the Local
Authorities to the RSA as part of the RSA (Commercial
Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012. The reform programme,
which began in 2010, will bring about a radical
improvement in the way commercial vehicles are
maintained and tested in an effort to improve road safety
for all road-users. The RSA together with the Gardai and
the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport and the
Vehicle Testing Network have worked hard over the last
few years to deliver the reform of the commercial vehicle
roadworthiness system. The changes will affect owners
and operators of vehicles such as Heavy Commercial
Vehicles (HCV), Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV), buses,
goods trailers and caravans/ambulances.
The reforms to the system will focus on the areas of
roadside enforcement, periodic checks and operator
premises inspections. According to the RSA, anecdotal
evidence suggests that some operators are fixing vehicle
faults right before the test in order to pass, a highly
dangerous practice which means that vehicles could be
on the roads throughout the year with serious defects.
The current rates of annual testing of vehicles are a
significant concern to the RSA. Of 1,000 randomly sampled
commercial vehicles aged five years, only 70% of the
legally required tests were found to have been conducted.
Compliance rates for trailers fare even worse. There are
approximately 45,000 trailers registered on the National
Vehicle and Driver File – only 19,000 were tested during
2010. And during roadside inspections carried out by the
RSA over the past two years, more than half (55%) of
trailers inspected did not have a valid Certificate of
Roadworthiness (CRW).
Loss of life
The need for a ‘root and branch’ reform of the system was
highlighted by the tragic loss of five young lives near
Kentstown, Co. Meath, when a school bus crashed. Vehicle
defects were cited as a significant contributory factor.
Following the Kentstown tragedy, another defective
vehicle was to cause further loss of life in Clara, Co. Offaly
when a school bus overturned. An investigation of the
Clara incident established that the vehicle was defective
and the main cause of the bus overturning was due to the
rear axle coming away from the bus.
2
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
½ of Commercial Vehicles Inspected
on roads found with defects (continued)
When the new system is fully implemented vehicle owners
will be required to annually declare any trucks, buses or
trailers that they own and be able to show their service
history, making every operator responsible for the safety
of all vehicles registered to them. It also means the RSA
can instantly trace any vehicle found to be unsafe back to
the owner and hold them accountable.
All commercial vehicles, including trailers, will now also
be legally obliged to display a CRW in the same way that
other vehicles are required to display an NCT certificate.
The RSA and AFS will conduct increased joint roadside
enforcement activity, which will include checking the
display of these discs. Vehicle owners have always been
obliged to test their vehicle annually.
There will also be some changes to the test itself which
will have benefits for vehicle owners and operators,
including an easy to use online booking system for CVR
tests, test booking reminders and alerts via SMS; fewer
documents to produce at the CVR testing centre; and the
automatic issuing of the Certificate of Roadworthiness.
Vehicle owners have always been obliged to test their
vehicle annually. As part of the reforms, the CRW issuing
system is now alighted with the last test date for vehicles
which have been tested previously and the anniversary of
first registration for vehicle undergoing their first test.
According to the RSA, these reforms are vital in order to
improve overall standards of road safety:
“We know that there are many compliant
operators and we want to emphasise that they
have nothing to fear and everything to gain from
the changes. Many commercial vehicle
operators do the necessary due diligence to
ensure their fleet of vehicles are in good, safe
and roadworthy condition before they go out on
the road. But unfortunately, there are also a
significant number of commercial vehicles on the
road that have defects ranging from minor to
very serious. Vehicle roadworthiness is a
significant contributory factor to the outcome of
a collision. In collisions involving a large goods
or passenger vehicle, the outcomes are usually
very serious. By introducing a standardised
system for testing roadworthiness, we are
helping to ensure that road-users are sharing the
road with safe and roadworthy commercial
vehicles. We were very conscious of ensuring
administrative improvements to the testing
system which will benefit operators. Time and
costs are now saved though improvements such
as online test bookings, no longer having to visit
the Motor Tax Office to get a Certificate of
Roadworthiness and not having to bring the
Vehicle Registration Cert every time you present
a vehicle for test”
Spirit of cooperation
Later in the year, the RSA and the Gardai will have
additional powers allowing them to immediately
immobilise or detain defective vehicles. The RSA are now
conducting inspections at operator’s premises to review
maintenance systems, records and procedures. Initial
visits will be educational and advisory in nature. While the
Act provides the RSA with strong powers of enforcement,
the RSA emphasises its intention to work with the
transport industry to raise standards of roadworthiness
through cooperation rather than heavy-handed
enforcement.
The RSA wants owners and operators of commercial vehicles
to comply with the law because they realise that it’s the
safe and sensible thing to do, rather than because they are
forced to. The RSA believes this will also deliver benefits
commercially, with reduced costs for the operator, enhanced
reputation and a fair and transparent playing field.
3
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
½ of Commercial Vehicles Inspected
on roads found with defects (continued)
The reforms will enhance the reputation of Irish registered
vehicles travelling throughout Europe. It will mean goods
and passengers will be carried in fully roadworthy
vehicles, and confirm that Ireland has taken another
important step to improving road safety for all.
The ultimate objective of the reforms is to see a dramatic
improvement in the standard of roadworthiness to prevent
further loss of life as a result of unsafe vehicles.
The RSA and the Gardai will focus their enforcement
efforts on companies who choose to operate unsafe trucks
and buses and if these vehicles are found to be seriously
defective and will will remove them from the roads.Truck
and bus operators will see increased levels of enforcement
by inspectors equipped with new powers under the
Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Act 2012.
The commercial vehicle roadworthiness programme will
ensure transport companies are fully accountable for the
vehicles they operate, and will ensure companies can only
use vehicles which do not pose a danger to their operators
or the public.
Nationwide campaign
Through a nationwide campaign and information
sessions, the continued efforts of the RSA to improve
the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles is making a
difference. The RSA see the culture changing; they find
operators are more informed and more interested in
complying. Attendance at briefings has increased, and
owners are seeking information as to how they can
improve. Operators are training staff members on the
new requirements, recording systems put in place, and
appropriate reporting structures developed to meet
the guidelines.
Risk targeting approach
When all stages of the reform are implemented, one
important feature will be the introduction of a system of
risk rating in respect of HCV owners and Operators.
Operators will be risk assessed based on data collected at
roadside checks, CVR testing centres and checks at
operator premises. Those operators who are operate
unsafe vehicles or who don’t have proper maintenance
and repair systems in place will be subject to more
frequent and intense checks both at the roadside and at
their premises. Enforcement will be targeted at the
non-compliant operators. Operators who conduct
frequent inspection and maintenance including safety
checks of vehicles will most likely have a lower risk
rating. It is planned that compliant operators will be
checked less frequently and thereby experience less
disruption to their daily business. There will also
continue to be random checks.
4
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
Information on
the new CVRT fees
1. Why have the fees increased?
Automatic posting of CRWs to registered owners,
eliminating the need to go to the Motor Tax
Office to exchange a pass statement for a CRW
Fewer documents to produce at the CVR testing
centre – you don’t need to bring your vehicle
registration document to the test anymore. This
is significant improvement for any operator with
vehicles all around the country.
The fees have gone up to help fund a reform programme
which will make our roads safer for everyone. It will also
level the competitive playing field for commercial vehicle
operators by eliminating the non-compliant operators
who are undercutting those who are compliant. The RSA
has also ensured that the new system will deliver several
administrative improvements for operators.
The origin of the reforms are the Kentstown and Clara
collisions in which a number of children tragically lost their
lives at a time when there was huge concern about the
standard of our commercial vehicles at home and abroad.
As a result of all the new reforms, the fees for testing
the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles have
changed. From 7 October 2013, fees will include a
new road safety levy.
The reform process has been ongoing since 2007 and
there have been no fee increases since then. The RSA
has financed the upfront capital investment in the new
system so that the fee increases would only apply from
the time benefits are being delivered.
•
•
Increased enforcement at the roadside targeted at
non-compliant operators
Already in 2013, the number of vehicles checked at
the roadside has doubled when compared with 2012.
With the new system, enforcement will be targeted
at non-compliant operators more and more, letting
compliant operators go about their daily business
with minimum risk of disruption.
•
New operator portal later this year
This can be used by operators as a repository for
their fleet.
The levy is being used to fund several reforms which will
support compliant operators:
An enhanced testing system with new benefits for
road transport operators which support excellent
customer service, including:
An easy-to-use online test booking and
reminder system
•
•
•
improve the compliance of commercial vehicles and
deliver safer roads for all road users
support compliant commercial operators who are
currently being undercut by non-compliant operators
deliver several administrative improvements for
commercial vehicle operators in relation to the
annual test.
3. What tests will the levy apply to?
The levy only applies to the annual test.
The levy does not apply to:
New maintenance obligations
The RSA has commenced premises inspections to
ensure operators are aware of and meeting their
obligation to have a maintenance system and
driver walk-around checks. The initial visits will be
educational, but the RSA also has powers to enforce
to ensure compliance.
•
2. What is the levy being used to fund?
•
Performance management and supervision of the
testing system by the RSA to ensure that tests are
being conducted to a high and consistent standard
across the country.
All in all, the new system will:
•
•
•
Re-tests
Any motor caravan tests
Enforcement tests.
4. VAT calculations on the fees
No VAT is calculated on the proportion of the fee passed
on to the RSA (i.e. the road safety levy).
5
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
Information on
the new CVRT fees (continued)
5. Certificate of Roadworthiness (CRW) costs
The CRW cost is included in the new fees and the CRW certificate and detachable disc will be automatically mailed to
the registered owner of the vehicle.
The new fees are as follows:
Class of vehicle
Full Test Fee
(incl CRW)
Re-test Fee
Mechanically propelled vehicles used for the carriage of passengers with more than 8
seats but fewer than 14 seats, excluding the driver’s seat
€198.00
€73.83
Mechanically propelled vehicles used for the carriage of passengers with 14 seats or
more excluding the driver’s seat
€200.00
€73.83
Vehicles having a design gross weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms but not exceeding
7,500 kilograms
€146.52
€47.26
Vehicles having a design gross weight exceeding 7,500 kilograms with 2 axles
€171.16
€59.08
Vehicles having a design gross weight exceeding 7,500 kilograms with 3 axles
€201.67
€73.83
Vehicles having a design gross weight exceeding 7,500 kilograms with 4 or more axles
€220.38
€82.69
Trailers having a design gross weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms
€141.95
€53.15
Ambulances
€145.00
€47.26
Vehicles having a design gross weight not exceeding 3,500 kilograms
€94.86
€35.43
Motor caravans with two axles
€76.86
€35.43
Motor caravans with three or more axles
€94.58
€44.29
All above are subject to VAT. Please note that the levy element is not subject to VAT.
6. Why am I only hearing about this now?
Information on the estimated fee levels were published in the RSA’s November 2011 Public Consultation with the transport
industry. The fee increase was flagged at information seminars, on posters and on our website. The final fees are lower than
those included in the Public Consultation document. Fees were advertised in national newspapers on the 3 October 2013.
6
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
Case Study - Donoghues Coaches Co. Galway
Galway, Summer 2013
In keeping with the majority of transport
operators in Ireland, Donoghue’s of Galway
is a family owned and run business.
Located at Taramuid near Clarinbridge, the
business is managed by Joe and Marie
Donoghue and the company’s striking
silver livery is a familiar sight on the roads
of Ireland. Donoghue’s range of vehicles
includes high specification touring class
coaches equipped with the latest comforts
to enhance the travelling experience for
their passengers.
Donoghues operate a mixed fleet of twelve vehicles,
offering seating capacity for 8 to 53 passengers. While
buying new 5 star coaches and buses will initially provide
assurances regarding safety and reliability it is important
for companies to ensure that all vehicles remain
consistently roadworthy and safe throughout their
working life. This principle of correct and proper vehicle
maintenance has long been a strict company policy at
Donoghues, and applies equally to all vehicles regardless
of age, mileage or area of work.
Donoghues of Galway can trace their transport roots back
to 1966. It was then that Joe’s father Michael Donoghue
saw an opportunity and began a transport service using a
small Volkswagen minibus. Michael provided a reliable
service to the local community, and the business soon
expanded to cater to local schools, GAA clubs and the
private hire market.
Although the fleet covers a wide variety of work from short
local runs to extended nationwide tours every vehicle is
inspected every four weeks regardless of mileage covered
or work done. All maintenance and servicing is carried out
in house by Donoghue’s own garage. In this way they have
an intimate knowledge of each bus or coach and because
each vehicle is routinely inspected every four weeks the
small problems which can arise with any vehicle are
immediately addressed. This therefore prevents small
problems becoming expensive and embarrassing issues on
the road. The regular inspections also ensure that vehicles
are kept in a state of roadworthiness and are fully
compliant with legislation.
Maintaining standards is an aspect of Donoghues business
in which they excel, and what is remarkable is that
throughout the company assuring high standards is
achieved with minimal effort. The standards are achieved
easily because it is the way the company works. All within
the company realise that doing it right is not only the
correct and proper way, it is also the most economical.
This awareness is gained from over forty years’ experience
operating a passenger transport business.
Operating a passenger transport business places great
demands on time, and the lessons learned with years of
experience has shown Donoghues that the simple methods
work well.
aspects of their duties and importantly this includes a
pre-shift vehicle walk-around check. Each vehicle has a
booklet which the driver completes to state that a pre-shift
check was done. Once completed and signed, a copy page
is returned to a drop box in the transport office for record
keeping. If defects are reported on the check sheet, the
garage is advised and they will remedy the issue. As a
driver himself Joe fully understands the importance of
repairing the faults a driver reports, as it develops a sense
of responsibility. Joe is keen to point out that in Donoghues
“if a driver reports a fault that needs fixing,
it will be done.”
The success of any transport operation is very much
dependent of the professionalism of the drivers.
The drivers at Donoghues are trained in the relevant
7
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
Case Study - Donoghues Coaches Co. Galway
(continued)
All routine inspections, servicing and maintenance
carried out on any vehicle is then recorded on a simple
spreadsheet originally devised by Marie Donoghue. From
this spreadsheet Donoghues can establish exactly the
cost of every vehicle in terms of maintenance and repairs
over any given period. The system also notes where
replacement parts were sourced and records the details
against any particular repair. Joe and Marie Donoghue
can pinpoint which vehicles perform better for their
company, and the system helps to highlight different
driving styles and their effect on running costs, for
example excessive brake wear.
Speaking about the RSA’s programme to reform
Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) in Ireland Joe
Donoghue is encouraged by the RSA’s efforts to improve
vehicle roadworthiness and therefore improve road safety.
He welcomes the measures detailed in the reforms, and
would like to see greater enforcement to remove unsafe
vehicles and operators from the roads. Joe knows he has
nothing to fear as his company is fully compliant, his
vehicles are correctly maintained and all records are in
order. What the reforms demand is for operators to run
their fleets the way Donoghues have been running their
fleet for years.
The maintenance recording system is not a new idea in the
Galway company. In fact Donoghues have been recording
their vehicle maintenance for many years, and see it
simply as the correct way to run their business. Marie says
Has Donoghue’s policy of ensuring their vehicles are
roadworthy and safe delivered benefits or has it placed
additional costs on the business? Joe is confident of the
benefits and says
“we started this because it made good sense to
see exactly what the vehicle cost us.”
“we have only had one breakdown in fifteen
years, and we were still able to bring that
bus home.”
What they have found and what they know to be true
is as Marie says
“it is more important to maintain than to repair.”
Not only is Joe confident of the benefits of preventive
maintenance he has the records to prove it. and external
suppliers to verify the standards of work and materials
used meet the stated requirements.
8
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
Case Study - Reynolds Logistics
“It is what our customers expect from us” Dublin, May 2013
Within the transport industry, Reynolds
Logistics have become a national
institution. However, it is somewhat
surprising that the company is largely
unknown to people outside the industry.
The vast majority of the motoring public
would at some stage have used the
products Reynolds transport.
The constant desire to improve all aspects of the business
has seen Reynolds Logistics become a multi-award winning
company across many different spheres of transport and
business. In addition to winning the Fleet Transport
Magazine, Haulier of the Year Award in 2008 and 2010,
Reynolds Logistics has recently been crowned ‘European
Transport Company of the Year 2012 (ETC). To be awarded
this accolade is an immense achievement, and one which
validates and rewards the company’s efforts to be a
leading light in the transport industry.
Since its formation over eighty years ago, the family run
business has matured to become the largest transport
provider to the fuel oil, aviation, and petrochemical
industries in Ireland. Though firmly based in Ireland,
the company’s success story has expanded to the
international stage and Reynolds now has considerable
operations in the UK, and significant strategic alliances
throughout Europe.
To ensure the fleet of over 160 vehicles comply with legal
requirements, Reynolds adopts a policy of continuous
assessment and monitoring. In addition to the compulsory
annual roadworthiness test all Reynolds vehicles are
subject to scheduled inspections every eight weeks,
which the company have established to be in line with
their workload and operational cycles.
Operating to exceptional standards has always been an
important element in the success of Reynolds Logistics.
In 1991, the company was the first service provider in any
industry to be awarded the ISO9000 standard. At the time
many felt the ISO standard to be solely the preserve of the
manufacturing sector.
All inspections are detailed on a specific vehicle log and
records are held centrally at the company’s Dublin
headquarters. Here the records are available for inspection,
not only by the regulatory authorities, but also to meet the
demands of their customers who conduct regular audits to
ensure compliance. Likewise Reynolds in turn conducts
regular audits of their internal and external suppliers to
verify the standards of work and materials used meet the
stated requirements.
The pre-shift vehicle walk-around check is pivotal in ensuring
vehicles consistently operate in a roadworthy condition.
Although Reynolds has a regular and comprehensive vehicle
maintenance and inspection schedule in place. It is possible
for any vehicle to develop a fault or be subject to damage
between inspections, and this is where the daily check brings
benefits to any transport operation. The procedure can
pinpoint when, and possibly how, a defect arose allowing
remedial measures to be taken to prevent a reoccurrence or
assign responsibility.
9
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
Case Study - Reynolds Logistics
“It is what our customers expect from us” (continued)
and more expensive problems. They have also found that
scheduled maintenance is a great deal easier to budget for,
than unscheduled breakdowns which can be expensive, and
can seriously affect a customer’s confidence in your service
levels. Chief Executive Officer at Reynolds Logistics, Andrew
Reynolds says…
Drivers at Reynolds must electronically record that a pre-shift
check was completed, and confirm that all was in order. If a
fault is discovered the vehicle cannot be used, and a report is
made to the designated competent person, who is responsible
for ensuring the fault is rectified. As well as making sure the
daily checks are completed, it is equally important for a
company to set out a reporting structure that clearly defines
each person’s role and responsibilities. At Reynolds there are a
set of established written procedures for staff members to
follow, which help to quickly resolve issues as they clearly
state what must be done.
Improving Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) is the
focus of a recent programme by the Road Safety Authority.
The programme sets out to further address the issue of
defective commercial vehicles and intends to strengthen
testing standards for goods and passenger transport units.
The programme will also require operators to complete an
on-line declaration of their fleet, provide details of
maintenance schedules, and designate a responsible person
to ensure compliance with the reforms. However, for
companies such as Reynolds that has always embraced best
practice compliance with the enhanced CVR standards will
not place an extra workload on the business, as it is what
they are doing already.
The benefits of ensuring a fleet’s roadworthiness are
numerous. Vehicles and equipment maintained in line with
manufacturer’s recommendations will perform more
efficiently, be cheaper to run, and therefore more cost
effective. With over eighty years’ experience in transport
Reynolds have found that regular inspections can identify
small issues and prevent them from developing into larger,
“we believe it is the right thing to do, and we
are convinced that preventive maintenance is
cost effective.”
Andrew also points out that drivers are comfortable knowing
the vehicle they drive is safe, will not pose a danger to other
road users, and that as drivers, they are meeting their legal
responsibilities. As an operator knowing your vehicles are to
standard brings increased efficiencies by reducing
unscheduled vehicle downtime, and a certain peace of mind.
This allows you to focus more effort on promoting the
business as a reliable transport provider who will deliver.
The operational ethos of the Reynolds Logistics business is one
that gives encouragement to those who endeavour to succeed
by doing the right thing. It also shows that investing in the
business through the people who work there and the
equipment they use pays dividends. Reynolds and their
customers know the fleet operates in a safe and efficient
manner, and Andrew is fully aware that…
“it is what our customers expect from us.”
The RSA’s programme of reform to further improve CVR
standards is welcomed by Reynolds Logistics, and by other
companies who already comply with their legal obligations.
Improvements in commercial vehicle roadworthiness will
realise benefits for vehicle operators, and is another step
towards making the roads safer for everyone. As the Reynolds
Logistics model clearly demonstrates, compliant roadworthy
vehicles are cost effective. It could be said that the new CVR
reforms will ensure all companies do, what the best
companies have been doing for years.
10
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
Case Study - Iron Mountain
‘Getting a return on the cost of safety’ Dublin, March 2013
Iron Mountain is a multi-award winning
transport and storage company, with an
impressive client list of both indigenous
and multinational customers. The list
includes Government Departments, major
financial institutions, pharmaceutical
companies, and other high profile businesses operating in many different sectors.
Iron Mountain’s core business is to provide
secure document handling and information
management solutions to these clients
nationally, and on a global platform.
To be successful in a business where your customers
demand the highest standards of service and
confidentiality, and one where mistakes simply cannot
happen. It can only be achieved by ensuring all sections of
your own company perform impeccably. Iron Mountain
has achieved such performance through exceptional
attention to detail and continuous review and assessment
of their procedures against industry best practice.
A culture of best practice has developed throughout all
aspects of the company’s operations and none more so
than the transport division. Iron Mountain realises and
appreciates the importance of their transport operations,
and has devoted a great deal of time to ensure that it
performs well for the company and by extension their
customers.
In Ireland Iron Mountain operates thirty-five vehicles,
the majority of which are below 3.5 tonnes, though ten
units would fall into the medium weight class. The manner
in which Iron Mountain control their customers data, is
mirrored in the way they run their vehicle fleet. Strict
adherence to agreed and accepted procedures ensures
compliance with all legal requirements for the company
and for drivers.
One important element of establishing high transport
standards is driver training and education. This begins
when drivers are first employed and undergo a series of
driving assessments conducted by an internal trainer.
Once accepted for employment, the induction process
then instructs drivers in all aspects of company operations
and their responsibilities. To ensure driving standards are
maintained, all drivers are continuously monitored and
formally reassessed on an annual basis. Pivotal to the
drivers work is the correct operation of any assigned
vehicle, and to ensure correct operation across all
vehicles, Iron Mountain produced a driver’s handbook.
11
RSA CVRT News - Autumn 2013
Case Study - Iron Mountain
‘Getting a return on the cost of safety’ (continued)
The handbook informs drivers of the correct procedures to
be taken in difficult or unusual circumstances, and gives
regular information updates. It details precise instructions
on daily walk-around checks, correct loading, unloading
and load securing, also noting appropriate actions in the
event of a breakdown. Drivers must conduct the prescribed
walk-around check before beginning the day’s work. Iron
Mountain also believes it is beneficial for the driver to
complete the same inspection throughout the day and
when the vehicle returns to base at the end of the day.
The handbook and inspection reports are then returned
to a designated member of staff at the end of duty
debriefing. The debriefing creates an opportunity for any
vehicle defects or issues from the day’s work to be
reported and addressed.
If a driver reports that a vehicle requires attention, it is
repaired that day as part of an agreed service contract
with a third party. If it is found that the defect cannot be
remedied on site the vehicle is removed to the workshop
and a replacement vehicle is used. Immediately
addressing faults noted by drivers, helps to encourage
more accurate reporting. It has been Iron Mountain’s
experience that their drivers feel more assured in their
work as they know their vehicles are fully roadworthy and
will not let them down.
The procedures in place for defect reporting are further
augmented by a weekly vehicle audit and recorded by the
computerised fleet management programme. The system
logs all repairs over a vehicle’s history and generates a
reminder seven days before any scheduled maintenance
is due. Giving the traffic office ample time to alter rosters
or reassign routes to assure their service levels do not fall
below the 99.8% rating Iron Mountain achieved for 2012.
Vehicle incidents through 2011 were reduced by over 38%
and for the year 2012 no incidents were recorded. This
has delivered a reduction in insurance premiums of 14%
for 2011, and a further 4% for 2012. These statistics
enabled Iron Mountain to negotiate a further reduction
of 5% for the year 2013. In addition increased fuel
efficiency provided by the driver monitoring programme
has produced a significant saving of 12.4%.
With the exception of the monitoring software, many of
the ‘best practice’ procedures now incorporated into the
company did not incur any costs. These practices simply
demanded increased attention to detail and designating
a responsible person to ensure that the procedures were
adhered to. It is also worth noting that the improvements have not detracted from service levels. The
company has steadily increased their performance
ratings throughout the implementation process.
For Iron Mountain their efforts have been widely
recognised by the industry and their peers. Since
embarking on the process in 2008 the company has
collected numerous awards including The Irish Logistics
& Transport Awards 2012, Supply Chain 2012, A Leading
Lights awards from the Road Safety Authority and The
Safety Award 2013 from Fleet Transport Magazine.
It appears that Iron Mountain’s investment in safety has
paid a healthy dividend.
12