Case Study

Route-safe Automotive

Engineering company Weir Services Ltd has 8 depots throughout the UK use more than 400 vehicles.

In mid 2006 management made the decision to address “Driving at Work” issues.  After meeting to discuss the content of the Route-Safe system final proofs were produced. This included adding the company corporate logo, matching colours and providing additional information on what the company expected from their drivers.

A decision was taken at this point to maximise the impact. Accident statistics were reviewed identifying 5 major causes of accidents.

The customised Route-Safe kits were produced including a “Safe Driving Mission Statement” which incorporated the 5 causes of accidents. Management training was undertaken with drivers attending a Road Safety toolbox talk.

A Pro-active approach achieved

Route-safe Aviation

THE PROBLEM

In 2008 one of Scotland top international airports was unfortunate enough to experience a failure of operational procedures. The incident involved one of its main air carriers and caused the grounding of an aircraft and a large compensation claim by the carrier. The carrier demanded that a 2 metre exclusion zone was introduced around its aircraft within which no vehicles could operate under there own power.  

A full report of the incident had to be presented to the Civil Aviation Authority so senior airport management took the decision to undergo a review of all ground handling operational procedures. Route-safe Vehicle Management was asked to assist in this review by looking into the use of vehicles and equipment within the airport and particularly on the apron. As with any busy airport vehicle & equipment is constantly moving and the control of these movements is at best complex.

Several meeting took place where previous safety related incidents over recent years were reviewed and discussed. This identified several areas where it was felt safety improvements were possible.

These included:-

General vehicle movements - Several accidents and incidents had taken place with most causing operational disruption and avoidable costs which impacted on maintenance budgets.

Aircraft push back procedures - Several incidents had taken place where hydraulic by-pass pins were incorrectly inserted or not inserted at all. This simple to do mistake resulted in operational disruption and unnecessary costs which impacted on operational and maintenance budgets.

Air cargo handling – Several avoidable accidents and incidents had taken place where stops and locks were not secured on cargo handling trailers. These incidents again caused unnecessary operational and maintenance disruptions and strained relationships with clients and cargo carriers as well as additional operational costs.

THE SOLUTION

The decision was made to introduce individual vehicle and equipment cab notices. The wording of individual vehicle cab notices was agreed and the high visibility notices were supplied and applied in the most suitable location within all vehicles and equipment. This gave a general safety statement outside the vehicle and the appropriate operational specific warning within it.

Management felt that a further safety initiative was also necessary. It was agreed that a Safe Driving Mission Statement would be produced which would include all the concerns raised by the review and reinforce other operational procedures. The Airports logo was incorporated and the notices were produced in corporate colours. These were applied to all vehicles and equipment. There purpose - To constantly reminder operators of their safety obligations in such a busy and dangerous environment and reinforce managements commitment to safe operations.

At the introduction of the campaign all employees were given a short toolbox talk on safety. The mission statement notices were also produced in a larger size and displayed in strategic areas such as locker rooms and canteen facilities.

CONCLUSION
Since the introduction of this new safety initiative and to date there has been no incidents within the apron facility and beyond.

Management are satisfied that this safety exercise has been very worthwhile and cost effective, with savings estimated to be several thousands of pounds per year, but most importantly they are confident that they have learned fully from the original incident. The newly introduced cab notices and safe driving mission statement continues to ensure that everything reasonably practical has been done to reduce safety related incidents.
A pro- active management working hard to ensure their airport facility is one of the safest facilities and working environments in the UK.