TruckandTrackSummer2020

www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2020 Truck and Track 47 LOGISTICS UK NEWS With thousands of people losing their jobs across the UK, and many more redundancies expected as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme winds down, the Logistics UK is urging government to permit the switching of the industry’s Apprenticeship Levy payments to a Skills Levy, enabling businesses to retrain staff innew roles. Logistics UK, the largest membership organisation in the sector, is querying why government has not allowed monies collected during the pandemic under the current Levy scheme to be redirected to fund retraining for employees facing the threat of redundancy: “Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, logistics workers have been on the frontline, keeping businesses, retailers, hospitals and schools stocked with the goods and materials they need to keep going,” says Elizabeth de Jong, Policy Director at Logistics UK. “At the same time, many businesses in the sector have continued to pay into the government’s Apprenticeship Levy fund but have been unable to draw down the cash necessary to finance new starters into the sector, generally because apprenticeship standards for the vacancies they have are not yet available. “With many new job opportunities arising as a result of the UK’s new future relationship with the EU at the end of the year, now would be an ideal time to use the funding as a training grant to start retraining workers in the sector to fulfil new roles in customs and trade procedures, rather than making them redundant after the pandemic. Logistics businesses cannot afford to pay twice to train staff.” At the start of the pandemic, Logistics UK called on government to pause payments into the Levy fund – a charge of 0.5%of a business’ annual pay bill for thosewith an annual salary total of more than £3 million - as companies were unable to recruit new apprentices due to social distancing rules, and with no new training programmes getting under way. To date, the logistics sector has paid over £410 million into the Apprenticeship Levy pot, but only 10% of these funds have so far been drawn down, mainly because no appropriate standard has been available for businesses to utilise. As Ms de Jong continues, the industry sees continued value in the Apprenticeships programme, but has an urgent need to retain experienced staff whenever possible: “Apprenticeships are part of the future success of our industry, developing and training new recruits into our sector and enabling them to invest in the workforce of today. But with so many businesses already under strain as a result of the economic shut down, it is imperative that we protect those already in the workforce by providing themwith retraining opportunities – but we need monies to be able to fund this learning and development. The current Apprenticeship scheme does not give industry sufficient help to provide the workforce needed right now, and simply represents an additional tax on companies trying to keep Britain trading as the economy re-emerges. We urge the government to rethink its approach as a matter of urgency.” Stop taxing to help us start training, says Logistics UK By Elizabeth de Jong, Policy Director at Logistics UK Elizabeth de Jong In the last 10 months, more than 46,000 items were found on England’s motorways and major A roads. Many of these items – including a ship’s mast, a double-glazeddoorandwindow, and a complete garden shed – are thought to have fallen off vehicles as they were not loaded securely, raising concerns that there is a lack of awareness among commercial drivers of the proper loading techniques. Transporting a secure load not only keeps others on the road safe, but also ensures that vehicles and loads arrive on time, without incident. In support of Highways England’s load security campaign, here are seven things that we at Logistics UK recommend you consider to ensure your load is safe and secure. Risk assessment : Consider the restraint equipment, typical load, and nature of your journey before carrying out a risk assessment as part of your health and safety requirement. Be sure to share this information with all those who are involved in the loading process. Vehicle suitability : Make sure the vehicle is suitable for carrying the intended consignment and that it is well maintained. Load and platform: Make sure the packaging and pallets are in good condition; any degradation could result in the goods coming free of their restraints. Also check the load platform and vehicle bodywork to ensure there is no damage or structural weakness. Load planning: Ensure the load is spread evenly over the axles, arrange the load in accordance with the delivery schedule and keeping the load as lowas possible tominimise the centre of gravity. Redistribute the load at times of delivery, ensuring that heavy loads are kept close to the platform. Restraint equipment : Always use load restraint equipment, including lashing or ratchet straps, ropes, chains, bars or webbing; ensure they are operated correctly. Walkaround checks: Before leaving the depot and at the end of each delivery, the driver should undertake a walkaround check to examine strap or restraint tensionandfitment, goodsmovedduring transit and the security of the trailer curtain, doors and tail lift. Raising awareness : Make sure training is provided to drivers and loading assistants and that it focuses on driving style, safety equipment, load layout, vehicle configuration and emergency procedures in the event of an incident. Vehicles carrying unrestrained loads pose a safety risk to the driver, other road users, and the public at large. Transporting a load securely not only keeps others on the road safe, but also ensures that vehicles and loads arrive on time, without incident, which is the primary aim of all Logistics UK’s members and their customers; paying close attention to load security should be a primary concern for all road haulage operators. http://www.logistics.org.uk Tips for ensuring load safety By James Firth, Head of Road Freight Regulation, Logistics UK James Firth For more information on load securing guidelines, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/load-securing-vehicle-operator-guidance/load-securing-vehicle-operator-guidance