Driver CPC Periodic Training - What's It All About Then?

By the 10th of September 2014 in the United Kingdom most existing and new professional Large Goods Vehicle (L.G.V) drivers will by law, be required to have completed an extra 35 hours of vocational training. (The Driver CPC EU Directive 2003) This is known as The Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence or "Driver CPC". On completion drivers will then be required to renew this training on a 5 yearly cycle.

To comply with the act drivers will have to complete a Driver CPC Course. This will consist of five seven hour training sessions which can only be delivered by an approved instructor and registered training centre. The governing body responsible for Driver CPC Training is The Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (J.A.U.P.T.) who are in turn responsable to The Driving Standards Agency in Great Britain (D.S.A) and The Driver and Vehicle Agency in Northern Ireland.

J.A.U.P.T monitors Training Centres and Trainers to make sure that training is given to the highest standard. Before a trainer can present a course (7 hours of instruction) they must prove their professional ability to train and have a high level of subject knowledge. All courses are vetted and approved by J.A.U.P.T before they get presented to drivers, further to this each course gets rechecked by J.A.U.P.T. annually. This ensures that the course content and the trainers are up to date with changes in Law and Industry Best Practice.

Many drivers when introduced to the idea of ongoing vocational training are naturally sceptical and wonder what they can learn from it. A typical drivers comment is "I've been on the road for 30 years what can you tell me about the job". Well this driver is perfect for Periodic Training, he most likely has not had any formal training for the entire of that 30 years and whilst his knowledge of the road and his ability to drive will be first class he might be lacking in his understanding of Road Transport Law and often is unaware of Best Working Practices within the industry.

Periodic Training's purpose is to refresh the knowledge of drivers by confirming and expanding existing knowledge and to update them on changes in Legislation and Best Working Practices. Depending on the course content, training is delivered in a classrooms or "on the road". An example of a typical training courses is "Drivers Hours & Tachograph's" (A "tachograph" is an in truck recording device that monitors speed and time. Fitting of this device into trucks and busses is a legal requirement in the EU) This course will most likely be delivered in a classroom. The Course presenter will use a variety of delivery techniques including PowerPoint, flip charts and demonstration units. Another example is a course on "Economical Driving" this might contain green environment related content as well as the monetary cost of delivering the goods and could contain both on road and classroom instruction

In conclusion this form of training can only lead to safer roads with fewer accidents and a higher standard of professionalism from L.G.V drivers. Bus and Coach drivers (PSV) are also required to hold a Driver CPC with very similar rules however PSV drivers need to complete by 10th September 2013 that's one year earlier than L.G.V Drivers.

Leadus Ltd Transport Training http://www.leadus-transport-training.co.uk/ are based in Basingstoke Hampshire, we are happy to travel to most areas in the south of England. We are specialises in group based Driver CPC Periodic Training. Driver CPC Training can take place at your own premises providing you have a suitable room or we can provide a training room for you. All of our training courses are JAUPT approved. http://www.drivercpc-periodictraining.org/en/.

Why not send us an email inquiry info@leadus-transport-training.co.uk and see what we can do to help your drivers stay safe and legal on and off the road.

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Don't Drive a Bucket Truck Without Training!

The bucket truck is one of the most complex pieces of equipment a company can own. For this reason, every operator should undergo specialized training to ensure their safety and the security of other crew members with whom they work. For operators to be properly trained, they must read and understand the manufacturer's manual, maintenance manual, and OSHA safety guidelines. OSHA regulations for safety education and certification are legally enforceable and every business is required to comply.

Furthermore, since OSHA is continually updating their rules and regulations for protection from harm, annual training and re-certification is very important to keep workers continually updated. This also helps drivers evaluate their performance and learn new techniques or technology applications related to bucket truck operations.

Adequate Prerequisite Training

Basic education is very important. Prerequisite training for operators may include but is not limited to the following: first aid education and current CPR certification; basic skills in firefighting; basic skills in automotive mechanics; familiarity with electrical equipment and hydraulic systems; and adequate understanding of the bucket truck control systems.

If the driver does not know enough to properly operate a bucket truck, a very dangerous situation could arise. For example, the driver may know how to drive but is not familiar with the control systems. That person could override the control system through the base control without permission from the person inside the bucket who is working near power lines. The override could cause the person inside the bucket to come in contact with the power line and that could result in electrocution. This is one of the most commonly occurring accidents related to bucket trucks.

Safety Courses

The manufacturer's manual most likely does not include a section that offers safety education and it may be difficult to find certified training or self-help courses online. There are such tips and ideas available online; they are usually based on OSHA-provided safety outlines.

There will always be hazards that exist in different working environments, so it is imperative that operators find a practical safety training course that offers the following important safety areas:
Safety Points- Focus on important protection from harm goals.Job-Specific Situations- Specific situations that are dangerous and their safe resolution.Workplace Checklists- Updated checklists or references to use in the workplace.Safety Awareness- Proper training of safety awareness during bucket truck operation.

Common Operator Mistakes

The following are common mistakes untrained drivers or operators make and the common dangers that may result from this negligence during bucket truck operations:
Improper Maintenance- Poor maintenance and equipment reviews; for example, a damaged boom could collapse, endangering operators and ground crew.
Improper Outriggers Usage- Improper use of outriggers can result in a vehicle tip-over.
Improper Equipment Usage- Lack of averting falls by not using lanyards for protection from harm, especially during the aerial lift; a fall from even a height as low as five feet can result in broken bones.
Improper Awareness- Lack of safety awareness during operation may cause a worker to expose part of their body to danger; for example, fingers could get caught between the truck and fixed structures.
Improper Parking Clearance- Lack of parking clearance could cause a bucket truck to be struck by another vehicle resulting in falling or knocking down the bucket operator.
Improper Overhead Clearance- Lack of over-head clearance may result in electrocution should the non-insulated boom come in contact with power lines.

Proper training and re-certification should be done regularly to refresh and update the operator's knowledge of safety issues. These steps are to ensure the security and protection of the lives of the drivers and work crews from any type of danger in the workplace that may occur due to lack of training!

Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. Click here to find out more about Used Bucket Trucks.

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Why OSHA Is An Important Part of Truck Driver Training

According to the United States Department of Transportation over 500,000 truck accidents occur every year. With an existing 3.5 million truck drivers and more joining the workforce every month, there is a need to take immediate measures to reduce the incidence of accidents. Providing truck drivers with adequate safety training is one way of achieving this.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training is a very important part of any occupational training, and its importance cannot be overstated in regards to truck driver training. There are many benefits of these training courses, both to the drivers and to the trucking companies they drive for.

OSHA training courses are designed to improve the driving skills of truck drivers and make them sharper, more aware drivers. The courses can be very helpful in minimizing some of the dangers that are experienced by individuals when operating large commercial vehicles and they can greatly reduce the number of injuries and deaths on our roads. Drivers enrolling in these courses learn to use defensive driving tactics while on the road and understand important pre-run safety routines that will determine if the truck is in a good condition to drive. They also learn to gauge their own physical condition before a drive and to take measures to avoid accidents through negligence.

Trucking companies can improve their profitability by enrolling their drivers in these courses, thereby lowering vehicle accident rate and reducing workmen's compensation claims. By increasing safety awareness among their drivers, trucking companies can reap the benefits of lesser absenteeism due to injuries. Companies will also see a reduction in property damage by negligent drivers which in turn saves the company from having to fight liability cases.

Trucking companies can now utilize the convenience of online safety training courses offered by OSHA to improve the safety of their drivers and keep their company OSHA compliant. These online road safety courses are easy to implement and affordable, and they are often equipped with full-fledged training libraries. Companies can customize courses for their drivers, track their progress and print out certificates when drivers pass courses.

Truck drivers can access their courses anywhere with a computer and an internet connection, instead of having to travel to an OSHA instructional site. These courses come in 10-hour and 30-hour packages and are also available in Spanish.

Truck drivers and trucking companies alike need to be made aware of the dangers that can occur when safety regulations are not followed and the benefits of undertaking safety training courses like these.

Mary Tellicks recommends Safety as a Service as an online driver training management system. In just a few simple steps, you will have your drivers ready to take their driver training courses. With our fully automated tracking system it's easy to track the progress of your drivers. For more information, please visit http://www.safetyasaservice.com/.

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