Improving Safety with the FORS Gold accreditation

Rai Haulage is a subcontractor to Aggregate Industries, based in Purfleet, Essex. Rai Haulage primarily transports asphalt and aggregate throughout London and surrounding counties. Thanminder Rai, Transport Manager explains how Rai Haulage has used FORS to make many improvements, specifically in fuel consumption and cycle safety.

‘I initially came across FORS as a contractual condition through Aggregate Industries, for those working on Crossrail’ explains Thanminder, ‘I did some research to determine whether FORS would benefit Rai Haulage, and realised very quickly that FORS was a great opportunity for Rai Haulage to measure its current standards against recognised industry best practice.’

‘On preparing for the initial FORS assessment, it was apparent that we already had a system in place, however FORS helped us put our policies and procedures into a comprehensive manual. We passed our bronze assessment with flying colours and received excellent positive feedback, which motivated us to continue progressing’ comments Thanminder.

‘Once we were bronze accredited we really made use of the performance management tool kit, and the telephone support available from the FORS team was extremely helpful in achieving silver’ notes Thanminder.

Aggregate Industries have shown recognition of Rai Haulage bronze accreditation and have in response provided Rai Haulage work on sites such as Olympics and Crossrail, which require the close proximity safety equipment.  Aggregate Industries have also provided a financial contribution towards the cost of the close proximity safety equipment; this was a promotional and limited offer encouraging franchise hauliers to be the first on the FORS scheme. Aggregate Industries have made it a standard specification for this equipment to be fitted to all new vehicles from 2013.

‘With the support of Aggregate Industries it has helped us achieve gold’ explains Thanminder Rai, Transport Manager

‘FORS has helped us achieve a 14.3% improvement in our Miles per Gallon from 2012’ explains Thanminder Rai, Transport Manager

‘One of the biggest changes we’ve made as a result of FORS, and a key contributor to achieving gold status, has been the fitment of cycle safety side sensors and side guards. We are now more aware than ever of the risk of fatal accidents and these features are aiding in reducing that risk’ reports Thanminder.

• Performance data

• Driver health and fitness review – we conduct driver health reviews once a driver starts with us. We provide yearly optician appointments to make sure our drivers have been professionally checked for any eyesight problems, eye tests can also alert us to some other health issues.
• Recruitment of drivers – we have a very good retention rate within the company and would recruit via local newspaper and online advertisements.
• Noise assessment – we have systems in place to alert us to any engine idling which could cause noise pollution.
• Modal shift and alternative vehicles – due to the nature of our business and the goods that we carry there are no alternative vehicles available at present.

Moving forward, we aim to reduce engine idling from 5 minutes to 3 minutes between October 2018 and September 2019 with the use of a telematics system, thus giving us better fuel consumption’ explains Thanminder.

‘FORS has encouraged and supported our progression through the FORS levels, and we are proud to be one of the first small companies to be awarded FORS gold status. However, our journey does not end here, as it’s all about continual improvement and ensuring we remain proactive in implementing best practice and developing our drivers’ continues Thanminder.

We will continue to promote the FORS and are connecting with schools in the area to promote the road haulage industry to the younger generation.

*Please note: All published FORS Gold case studies have been submitted by the accredited company named above and transcribed verbatim