Tanker drivers to be certified
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The tanker sector is to get a health and safety certification scheme.
Guy Sheppard reports.
THOUSANDS OF OIL tanker drivers are to be issued with certificates to show they comply with minimum health and safety standards for their job. The Common Road Tanker Driver Induction Standard (CRTDiS) demonstrates drivers have the skills to load, unload and transport petroleum products safely.
It has been developed by Skills for Logistics and Cogent, the sector skills council covering the oil and petroleum industries.
CRTDiS has the backing of union leaders and employers as well as the government, which set up the sector skills councils three years ago.
Mick Smith.general manager of JW Suckling, which employs 230 oil tanker drivers, says the certificate will act as an industrywide passport. proving individual drivers have the necessary skills for the job if they change employers. "It's not one of those things that you get and keep for ever." he adds. -Within three years, every driver will have to go through the required training again."
Although there is no legal requirement for drivers to hold the certificate, he believes pressure on employers from customers will ensure its adoption.