Time out
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CM legal editor Patric Cunnane chaired a panel of experts that discussed record keeping under the Working Time Regulations. The panel included Robin Sharp of the Freight Transport Association (above); Juan Maddrell (below), policy adviser from VOSA; and Martin Lackeus, MD of Swedish fleet management specialist Vehcc.
Sharp advised that whatever systems operators used they should keep it simple. Lackeus argued that paper records would do, as long as they were accurate.
Maddrell confirmed that VOSA is taking a softly softly approach to implementing these regulations, seeking to advise rather than penalise where an operator makes a genuine mistake.
But he warned that hauliers need to show they are trying to comply: "If we inspect a firm and they get the all-clear then they will drop to the bottom of the targeting list."
However, it is not just VOSA that operators must fear. Maddrell said the introduction of a new corporate manslaughter law in the UK could mean that the police and the Health and Safety Executive will pay close attention to working time records in the event of a fatality.