Hy-Ten Ltd is a leading stockist and fabricator of concrete reinforcement bar, mesh and accessories. We have a nationwide network of twelve manufacturing centres from which we provide an innovative, rapid and cost effective service to building and civil engineering contractors throughout the UK. Hy-Ten is a major distributor of industrial welded mesh, security fencing, gabions and other land reinforcement products. We manufacture structural steelwork and general steel fabrication.
Since joining in January 2016 as Transport Manager, Simon Howes explains how Hy-Ten Chatham has achieved greater MPG, ensuring cycle safety & vulnerable road user safety through FORS.
We were first introduced to FORS through our involvement in the Crossrail Project and our other customer’s requirements. We realised that the standards required would help in maintaining compliance and safety.
Having passed the Bronze re-audit in April 2016. We realised that progression to Silver was a natural step in this process as more customers were specifying Silver Accreditation as a site requirement and we understood the FORS Standards and it aims. Having achieved Silver we had to “Go for Gold” as it would show our commitment to road safety and performance management.
‘We felt that becoming members would help us in maintaining O Licence Compliance and safety.’ – Ian Jeffries, Director.
Once we were an accredited Bronze Member, we took advantage of the E-Learning Training Modules and management tools. Especially the Safe Urban Driver Courses and performance management tools to improve our driver’s knowledge, operational efficiency and performance measures. As such each driver undertakes a Driving Assessment with our HGV Driver Trainer Assessor meaning we have managed to increase the MPG and decrease the number of vehicle incidents.
‘Since becoming accredited we have seen an improvement in MPG and vehicle incidents.’ – Simon Howes, Transport Manager.
Since becoming members all the drivers have undertaken their Safe Urban Driver Courses and annually complete the FORS E-Learning Modules. The Transport Manager also has recently undertaken a Transport Manager 2 Day CPC Refresher Course.
We have managed to see a year on year improvement on MPG and the number of road incidents. We have achieved this through better routing and selecting the best routes prior to departing the yard.
|
MPG |
Incidents |
PCN’s |
|
|
June 2016 – May 2017 |
8.11 | 7 | 15 |
|
June 2017 – May 2018 |
8.64 | 5 |
6 |
| Percentage improvement | 7% | 28% |
60% |
*Annual Improvement in MPG & Incidents.
All drivers complete a Driver Health Declaration at time of Induction and are updated annually which requires them to notify the Company of any changes to health which may affect their entitlement to drive. This is alongside the Health Assessment which is done 2 yearly. 
Recruitment Strategy – The Company with a Training Provider, as recommended by the RHA, will implement a “Shop Floor to Road” Government Approved Apprenticeship Scheme. The Scheme will train a factory operative with a view to them gaining a Full Category C Licence to operate one of the Company’s fleet of HiAB Vehicles. This will include obtaining an ALLMI HiAB Certificate. This would inevitably lead to the candidate into achieving their Full C+E licence category.
Noise Reduction – in order to manage the noise pollution created by the business, the HSE&Q department review our register of environmental impacts 6 monthly which acts as our guideline for safe and efficient working practices. This includes all of our transport operations. All vehicle servicing is done off site at main dealer workshops.
In order to make continual fleet improvements as and when the fleet are due for renewal Euro VI vehicles will be purchased which will allow us to further reduce fuel emissions and carbon footprint. All our drivers will undergo continual training.
We would be proud to be accredited FORS Gold as it would represent the considerable improvements we have been able to make to our fleet’s safety, efficiency and environmental impact. It would also underline our dedication to road safety and continually improving the skills and performances of our colleagues to ensure that our fleet and its operations are an asset to the company.