REMOTE BRONZE AUDIT
On-site and remote audits
FORS Bronze remote audits are available to book alongside Bronze on-site audits.
What is a remote Bronze audit?
A remote audit is an audit that is conducted online via a video call between a fleet operator and a FORS auditor. It is held on the date agreed between the operator and the FORS Audit Provider. The auditor will need to see evidence that the fleet operation meets all the requirements of the FORS Standard. If the auditor requires additional evidence to support the audit, they will verbally request at the time of the audit for this information to be uploaded to the Bronze evidencing portal.
Fleet operators will need to have a laptop/computer with a working camera and microphone and will be asked to provide their evidence either by sharing screen or by presenting the relevant evidence to the camera during the audit video call.
Once a remote audit has been booked, the audit provider will send a video call link for the remote audit. Operators must make sure that they can access the relevant video conferencing platform and download the required software if necessary (if not already downloaded).
What do operators need in place before the audit video call takes place?
Operators will require a computer or laptop that includes:
- A working webcam
- A working microphone
- Working speakers or headphones
- Stable internet connection
- Microsoft Teams app
- Continuous power supply to video conferencing device
What will happen on the day of the remote audit?
On the day of the audit, the auditor is required to see evidence of the systems and policies the operator has in place to manage each of the requirements set out in the FORS Standard, albeit remotely through sharing screen or by presenting the relevant evidence to the camera during the audit video call.
Supporting evidence
The majority of the evidence for the remote audit will be presented to the audit provider through sharing screen or by presenting the relevant evidence to the camera during the audit.
If the audit provider requires additional evidence to support the audit they can verbally request at the time of the audit for this information to be uploaded to the Bronze evidencing portal.
All additional evidence shall be uploaded to the portal and shall not be emailed directly to the Audit Provider/auditor.
Details of how to upload the supporting evidence to the portal can be found in the video guide here, as well as being shared during the remote audit.
Auditee guide
An auditee guide has been created to list out each requirement and the evidence that is required to be provided. Details on how to submit additional evidence to the Bronze evidencing portal is documented within this guide.
A helpful webinar guides fleet operators through the remote audit process including booking, preparing, undertaking and uploading evidence to the Bronze evidencing portal.
Support tools
To support operators with remote audits during this period, FORS Fleet Tools are available free of charge.
FORS Fleet Tools
FORS Fleet Tools are designed to help you collate and manage fleet data. To access the toolkits, operators will need a free account via the FORS page.
Unsure of what’s best for your needs?
Members can call 01666 575900 today to chat with one of FleetCheck’s highly trained team members who can help you find the best solution for your fleet challenges.
Members can arrange a demonstration of both systems from FleetCheck by using the calendar located on this page.
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FORS Fleet Management System
FORS FMS delivers the tools members need to obtain and maintain their FORS accreditation. Its intuitive design suits fleets of all sizes, providing a robust audit trail and total peace of mind.
The FORS Driver Handbook
The FORS Driver Handbook provides a full library of policies, procedures and risk assessments. It also meets the specific requirements M5 and S8 and over 30 communication requirements across the FORS Standard.
The FORS Driving Licence Checking Service
FORS Driver Licence Checking Service is designed to help you meet requirement D1 (Licensing and qualifications) of the FORS Standard.
FORS Tacho Service
FORS Tacho Service is a simple, easy to use cloud based tachograph analysis package which can be securely accessed anytime, anywhere. The modern and intuitive software has been built with the end user in mind and designed to help streamline driver and vehicle data reporting, provided by FORS Affinity Partner, TDi (Transport Data Interchange Limited).
FORS Fuel Card Services
FORS Fuel Card Services has been created with one of the UK’s leading providers to support the FORS community in reducing fuel costs. These fuel cards are completely free to purchase for FORS accredited operators, saving our community £12 annually per card.
FORS Vehicle Graphics Service (FORS VGS)
FORS Vehicle Graphics Service (FORS VGS) provides high quality FORS ID graphics and warning signage graphics for your vehicles, all at a discounted rate for the FORS community. If you are operating a vehicle of over 3.5 tonnes gross weight, the FORS Standard ‘V7 – Vulnerable Road user safety’ requires you to display blind spot warning signage.
FORS Health and Fitness
Whether you’re recovering from surgery or a sporting injury, looking for some help with your diet, on the hunt for some new fitness clothing or you just want to improve your overall health and fitness, YourFitnessClub has a variety of products to help you achieve your goals or support you with your next challenge.
FORS Legal
‘BACKup’ is a 24/7 monthly legal services subscription which deals with the two main pain-points of a transport business – the management of people (employment matters) together with road regulatory issues (O-Licence compliance, undertakings, DVSA intervention).
My FORS Transport Planner
My FORS Transport Planner, is a revolutionary, pay as you go, web-based transport planning tool designed for commercial vehicle operators of all sizes.
Frequently asked questions
To undertake a remote Bronze audit, you will need to follow these steps:
- Request your remote audit via your FORS dashboard
- Agree the date of the audit video call – the FORS audit provider will contact you once your audit request is received to arrange this
- Speak to the auditor at a pre-audit call – the auditor will call you between five and two days prior to the audit. You will be required to provide information about your organisation, such as your vehicle fleet, number of drivers and number of employees. This is also to check that you and the auditor can access the video call platform used by the audit provider
- Undertake the audit video call providing evidence against the 32 requirements of the FORS Bronze Standard
- If the auditor has requested additional documents at the audit you will be able to review any comments made by the auditor via the manage your audits page. You will be able to upload the requested information for one day after your audit video call
- Make sure you click submit once you have uploaded any additional information requested, otherwise the auditor will not be able to review your documentation. You will no longer be able to make any amendments once your evidence has been submitted
The remote audit will take place between you and the audit team. The audit team can be a single person or a team of people. You are allowed more than one person on the video call as long as you inform the auditor and the audit provider prior to the audit.
If you use an external consultant, they will not be able to conduct the audit on your behalf.
You will be expected to have your PC video camera speakers (or headset) and microphone on for the entire call. The remote audit will last as long as required.
All participants must comply with the equipment requirement above.
We request that you and any third parties do not record the audit video call. Audit video calls are taking place from the private homes of FORS auditors. It would be considered a breach of privacy if the audit call is recorded.
You can run an internet speed checker which will give you your ‘Download speed’. For Microsoft Teams, you can then check the bandwidth scenarios in this document against your download speed. If you are using Zoom, you can also join a test meeting to check if you speed is sufficient, this can be done here. If unsure, please discuss with your audit provider.
The video conferencing platform used will be chosen by the auditing provider assigned to the remote audit. You will be informed of which platform will be used when you receive an invite to complete your pre-audit call, which will include a link to the meeting in your invitation email. Typically, the platform will either be Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Microsoft Teams can be downloaded here and Zoom can be downloaded here. If unsure, please discuss with your audit provider.
Click here and follow the on-site instructions to download Microsoft Teams.
Click here and follow the on-site instructions to download Zoom.
You may need to troubleshoot this by navigating to your camera and microphone settings on your device. Typically, you may need to allow permission for the video conferencing platform to access the camera and microphone devices. If unsure, please discuss with your audit provider.