Added extras:
Van Excellence
Run by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), Van Excellence is an industry-led scheme designed to promote
the safe operation of vans, represent the interests of the sector, and celebrate operators demonstrating excellent
standards.
Van drivers are vital to the UK economy; van use has grown to become a substantial and integral part of the
logistics industry. And as it continues to grow rapidly, it garners much attention from legislators and enforcement
authorities, as well as the public. The consequences of poor van fleet management can be severe and include
threats to safety, finance and even freedom. Companies and individuals have legal responsibilities under the
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and anyone found in breach could face fines – these could reach millions of
pounds as the penalty depends on turnover – or even a custodial sentence. By joining the Van Excellence Scheme
and achieving certification, drivers and operators are less likely to been involved in a collision or other incident.
Central to the scheme is the Van Excellence Code, a set of minimum best practice standards all van operators
should aspire to achieve. Operators reaching this standard can apply for certification from the Van Excellence
Operator Accreditation Scheme – following a satisfactory audit – to publicly showcase their commitment to safety,
efficiency and sustainability. After all, all road users benefit from improved driving standards and maintenance.
Additional scheme benefits include access to training courses, the Guide to Van Excellence and operational
briefing events.
The team at Van Excellence seek to support the physical and mental health of drivers wherever possible. With one
in five van drivers describing their current mental health as poor or very poor, Van Excellence recently launched
a campaign in partnership with charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) to address the stigma around
mental health and raise awareness of the resources available for drivers who could be uncertain of where to obtain
help and advice. Crafted by Van Excellence in association with the charity’s key advisers, support packs promoting
CALM’s services are available to all drivers leasing vehicles through partner organisations.
If your data suggests a problem with this group, why not promote Van Excellence in your area?
www.vanexcellence.co.uk
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