Shared vans: vehicle accountability

[POSTMAN]

Shared vans: vehicle accountability

Principles of Shared Van working

• Typically one of the shared van pair is nominated as the driver each day to minimize inefficiency as a result of driver changes during the duty
• A set of keys may be held by both OPGs within the pair

Driver Responsibility
While using shared vans, drivers must follow instructions (contained in the Overnight Retention of Vehicles policy, located on the 6 phase intranet site) by completing the logbook as described. Under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 Royal Mail has a legal obligation to provide, when required, details on the identity of any driver using a vehicle at a particular time. In order to fulfil this obligation, the Vehicle Condition & Mileage Logbook (the logbook) will be used as the primary day-to-day control record.

For the purposes of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the driver whose name is last recorded in the logbook will be considered responsible for the roadworthiness and security of the vehicle until responsibility is transferred to the next driver by signature in the logbook. Only the driver whose name is recorded in the logbook may drive the vehicle until responsibility is transferred. Subsequent drivers must carry out at least a “duty” level (roadworthiness) vehicle check before driving and the vehicle logbook must be completed in line with the example used in the Overnight Retention of Vehicles Policy, located in the 6 phase intranet site).

Drivers must be able to provide a detailed and accurate record of vehicle transfer between themselves and another driver/s via the logbook.

It is a very serious offence to drive a vehicle without the appropriate driving licence and necessary permission. Any breach of this condition will be treated under the Royal Mail Conduct Code.

Key Holders
Shared van working will work best if both employees sharing the vehicle have key access to the mail compartment so as to minimize waiting time at the van.

Key control processes therefore need to be communicated to employees, and managed, more effectively than ever before.

All sets of vehicle keys must be signed for, i.e.: where two sets of keys are used on a shared van duty then both OPGs must sign separately for each set. The person signing for keys will be considered responsible for their security until responsibility is transferred and details have been recorded on the local office key control record.

Managers must periodically confirm availability of all sets of keys issued for any shared vehicle under their control. Checks should be carried out at the same time as licence checks are conducted (whether the subsequent key holder has a driving licence or not).

When not in use, all vehicle keys must be kept on the person at all times - they must never be left in the vehicle or in any delivery trolley or delivery pouch.

Responsibility for the security of any mail left on board a vehicle which is unattended will be shared jointly between any key holders working from the vehicle. Mail left in unattended vehicles must always be secured within the load area.

Failure to adhere to these principles may lead to disciplinary action being taken under the Conduct Code and could result in dismissal.

[ganda]

Hi PM, wonder if you could supply the original source or hopefully a download link for this post. Our managers state as long a the people sign for the keys, they can both drive. This "document" would suggest otherwise.

Thanks.

[fishtank]

It's part of a jointly agreed document which your manager will know as Reducing the impact of weight on Delivery: A guide for managers and reps

Known to us plebs as the CDV guidelines.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 09#p266582" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ganda]

Thanks for that As H&S bod, I shall be approaching managers in the Morning.