APPROACHING RED TAPE
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For an industry beset with countless regulations we asked our panellists to engage in a bit of crystal-ball gazing. While the proposed mandatory fitment of high-visibility 'conspicuity tape' on trailers entering service in 2011 was welcomed, the suggestion that it might be retrofitted to existing trailers sent a shiver down the spine of some of our panellists, not least TIP's Davies who had no issue with the potential safety gains,or fitting it to new kit, but added. "Given the large volume of trailers and equipment we operate the logistics of trying to adhere to that would be vast, even if we could do it when we serviced a trailer it would he very, very problematic."
There was also some doubts as to exactly what areas of a trailer it would apply to beyond the obvious rear frame of a trailer. Bulley also raised the issue of 'survivability'. It offers good branding opportunities in a livery but I can also see it being scratched off during loading and unloading."
Applying the tape presented other issues for Bulley, particularly through the latest Working at Height regulations: "Nowadays some of our customers won't allow us to climb up to even lubricate the curtain runners. On the bigger customers it's self-regulatory — three strikes and you're out and off the site.His point was picked up by GEMP's Baker, "Jobs that used to take five minutes now take 40 as we have to provide proper platforms. For our own guys we say that if they're working on anything above 1.2m they've got to be looking at a safety harness at least."
Michelin's Kendrick felt: "It's all about education. We have to ensure that tyre litters are well trained. We carry out spot checks to keep reminding them of the things that we could be held liable for if they don't follow the proper procedures. In the end a Court will ask 'Did you take reasonable care?" •