FTA launches Truck Excellence accreditation

By Categories: NewsPublished On: Sunday 1 May 2016

tyres2The Freight Transport Association (FTA) used its presence at the Commercial Vehicle Show in April to unveil Truck Excellence – a new voluntary accreditation scheme developed by members to promote high standards the in operation and management of heavy goods vehicles.

Truck Excellence, which builds on the success of the existing Van Excellence scheme for LCV operators, requires operators to undertake an independent chargeable audit against the operator licence undertakings – with each standard covered reflecting obligations under the licensing regime and associated legislation.

While the initiative is open to both FTA members and non-members, the association says that membership will make compliance easier to achieve.

Among the key areas covered under the scheme are O-licensing, operating centres/vehicles, transport management, good repute, maintenance systems, drivers’ hours, working time and records.

FTA said the approach was designed to ensure that approved operators demonstrate that they have systems in place for continued compliance “beyond just the day of the audit”.

The accreditation utilises the so-called ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’ framework recommended by the Health & Safety Executive and Insitute of Directors in the publication Leading Health & Safety at Work, and looks at the licence holder’s role as well as that of the transport manager.

As a result, says FTA, an accredited operator is in a position to demonstrate its risk management process and fulfilment of O-licence obligations in the event of an accident.

Sally Thornley, director of standards, audit and accreditation at FTA, said: The scheme has been developed to include a modular approach, making it flexible enough to include and adapt to the changing standards of other accreditation schemes – looking to make the scheme both cost effective and future-proof.”