2 Start’s tips for compliance training
Transport training specialist 2 Start has described how operator licence awareness training (OLAT) can assist fleets in managing compliance across a range of areas.
The firm highlights the essential role compliance plays for fleet managers, operators and business owners in logistics in ensuring they can remain safe on the road – for example, through the completion of walkaround checks prior to the journey, or ensuring appropriate load security.
“You can never predict what will happen on the road as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver, nor can transport managers be with their team 24/7,” said 2 Start.
“While the Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) certification covers compliance management, Operator Licence Awareness Training (OLAT) will cover compliance management in more depth.
“2 Start’s OLAT courses cover the legal requirements and compliance standards operators must adhere to on the road.”
The courses can provide managers with a realistic understanding of how lack of action can have consequences if the relevant the rules and regulations are not observed, says the company.
Compliance management is becoming stricter, says 2 Start, with operators expected to adhere to all rules that are relevant to commercial drivers in areas as diverse as load security, walkaround and wheel nut checks, and tachograph. Anomalies can have a severe impact – for example if a check is not conducted properly or at all, and a defect missed, drivers run the risk of being stopped by an enforcement officer. This in turn could result in a fine and/or the driver being prevented from continuing on their journey, and could have implications for an operator’s licence.
“Alternatively, your staff may have not ensured the load you are carrying is properly secured. Half way through your journey, something happens and you have to conduct an emergency stop. Suddenly, the load has shifted all the way forward and has damaged the trailer, and the cargo itself is also severely damaged, or worse, fallen off.”
Such scenarios underline the importance of completing an OLAT course, says 2 Start.
“Regarding logistics as a whole, it’s not just about getting goods from A to B, but more so about how each step of the process is conducted in line with the rules governed by the traffic commissioner, DVSA and Department for Transport,” the company added.
Turning to the frequency of OLAT courses, 2 Start said: “You can complete this training every five years, as recommended by the traffic commissioner, to keep your knowledge refreshed. Although, if you are planning to gain your Transport Manager CPC… you can complete OLAT prior to gain a comprehensive understanding on compliance management, which isn’t as thoroughly covered in Transport Manager CPC training.
“Alternatively, your fleet manager can also book you on this course if they feel that you need to refresh your knowledge. Also, any other staff involved in transport or loading duties can be expected to complete this training.
“Finally, the traffic commissioner can enforce that you complete this training if you have appeared at a formal hearing.”
OLAT is aimed at company directors, restricted licence holders and staff who are directly associated with transport operations and require the knowledge to remain compliant with evolving regulations, says 2 Start.
The company offers one or two-day OLAT courses for road haulage.
“Throughout the training, you will cover: managing your operator licence; managing drivers’ hours and associated records; managing the vehicle, maintenance and associated records; driver licencing; [and the] Operator Compliance Risk Score.”