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CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY - Fleet Safety |
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Driving continues to be one of the largest risks that Wolseley UK employees face. In recognition of this fact, a comprehensive fleet safety strategy has been implemented to help raise the awareness of fleet safety and collision reduction measures across the company. Quarterly Fleet Safety Steering Group
To ensure that continued focus and attention is maintained, Wolseley UK established the Fleet Safety Steering Group, aimed at reducing the number of collisions experienced each year. The group, which consists of both car fleet and commercial fleet managers, also has a number of operations managers to ensure that practical effective initiatives are implemented. It is the key driver for identifying effective collision reduction programs and proposing fleet safety policies to Wolseley UK's Leadership Team. To date the group has implemented the following:
Fleet Safety Policy StatementTo demonstrate Wolseley UK's commitment to ensuring the safety of its employees while driving for work purposes, a fleet safety policy has been established. This statement is reviewed annually by the Fleet Safety Steering Group to ensure it remains accurate and for continual improvements to be made. Commercial Driver and Company Car and Safe Driving Handbooks
To ensure that employees are provided with the necessary information so that compliance with legislation and the fleet safety policy is maintained, Wolseley UK has launched handbooks for both its company car and commercial drivers. These handbooks are issued to both sets of drivers and outline their responsibility to act in a safe manner at all times when driving for work purposes. Additionally, the handbooks are packed with further instruction, information and guidance to help keep the drivers and their families safe when driving for personal purposes. Quarterly Commercial Fleet Driver NewsletterThe fleet services department issues a quarterly newsletter to all locations that operate commercial vehicles. This process aims to raise awareness among all commercial drivers of current topics relating to fleet management and vehicle maintenance as well as highlighting methods of best practice. Plans are currently in place to roll out a similar feature for Wolseley UK's company car drivers in 2007. Improved monthly reporting and data analysis via WillisWolseley UK has been working closely with its insurance brokers Willis, to increase the speed of reporting and the quality of the data information made available each month. To assist this process, a number of meetings take place where progress is reviewed and any concerns are highlighted. This ensures that any significant issues are identified and tackled, and that continual improvements are made. On-the-road driving assessments for all new commercial vehicle driversIn conjunction with its national fleet training company Transport Training Agency (TTA), Wolseley UK has introduced on-the-road driving assessments for all new commercial vehicle drivers. This process ensures that employees are examined for suitability and given first-hand experience of the driving role prior to commencing duties on the road. Any significant concerns about the driver’s ability can also be identified by the assessor at this stage, so that appropriate preventative measures can be taken. On-line risk assessment for Wolseley UK driversThe online driving assessment programme, which has been developed in conjunction with our insurers Zurich, is designed to enable the identification of potentially 'at risk' drivers, so that preventative measures can be taken prior to any such incidents occurring. The system is designed to help significantly improve the accident and collision performance of all company drivers. Wolseley UK has initially launched the programme to 1,000 drivers (500 company car drivers and 500 commercial) with a view to rolling it out to all company drivers during 2007. Commercial Driver of the year competitionWolseley UK launched its first Commercial Driver of the Year competition in October 2006. This process ensured that drivers with a good history were rewarded for adhering to guidelines and best practice. Next year, the company has decided to integrate this event with company car drivers to share best practice across the entire fleet.Fleet Safety AwardsWolseley UK's commitment to road safety and dedication to make improvements within its fleet management practices has recently been recognised through some highly prestigious award schemes. The company was recognised for the means by which it analyses its collision statistics and implements control measures by the road safety charity Brake. Wolseley UK's head of health, safety and environment was also awarded the Road Risk Manager of the Year award for his commitment to road safety and successes achieved with the numerous initiatives which he identified and implemented across the company. Furthermore, Wolseley UK has been highly praised for its fleet safety initiatives by receiving a commendation at the International Prince Michael Road Safety Awards. This particular award is regarded as one of the highest recognitions that can be received within the field of fleet safety for fleet management practices. Further information about fleet safety may be obtained from Paul Gallemore (head of health, safety & environment) or Harnam Singh Nijjar (health & safety co-ordinator). 
Wolseley UK |
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