ABM Q4 - Flipbook - Page 88
OPI N I O N
HGV
Safety culture to
outlast paperwork
→ Craig Pennington is managing director at Universal Tankers
F
leet operators are used to
prioritising customer demands
and driver availability, but
one priority can’t be ignored:
safety compliance. This is
especially crucial now, as we’re
seeing significant changes in
compliance that are industrywide. Regulation is becoming
more detailed, data-driven and dynamic,
and must be managed alongside
customer demands, driver availability,
vehicle use, maintenance and training.
Digital Waste Tracking is a current
example. From October 2026 in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland, and from
January 2027 in Scotland, receiving sites
will be legally required to digitally record
what happens to business waste.
Although it is not yet a direct carrier
obligation until October 2027, customers
and receiving sites will be recording
movements digitally before the carriers
moving the goods do. Operators must be
equipped to work with digital systems
long before the rule technically applies.
Floor, not ceiling
A perfect audit records how things
looked on the day, but it fails to tell you
whether a walkaround check is genuine
or a formality. A real check requires a
driver to actually assess the integrity
of the storage facility, emergency
systems, specialised equipment and
documentation, not simply tick boxes.
The difference rarely shows up in an
audit. Instead, it shows up when a fault
that should have been caught earlier
turns into a much bigger problem, like a
broken-down vehicle. However, reporting
only works if drivers see it lead to action,
instead of purely just blame.
Experienced drivers have a wealth of
skills that enable them to spot defects
early, know their sites and understand
the equipment. Losing these drivers is not
simply a recruitment cost, it has serious
effects on the safety of a fleet.
88
AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS
Q4 2026
As regulatory changes unfold, these
experienced drivers are becoming
even more essential for ensuring
effective compliance.
According to a Logistics UK report, flat
test volumes for HGV drivers suggests
that the number of new entrants
is constrained, and described the
technician shortage as structural rather
than temporary.
Driver retention doesn’t hinge solely
on pay, it comes from development
and respect. If a driver sees valuable
career opportunities and respects their
employer, they are more likely to stay.
What operators can do
Whatever the size of your fleet, a few
practical changes can make the next
round of regulation easier to absorb:
Accurate waste descriptions and
complete records to make digital
tracking easier.
Appoint a member of staff responsible
for tracking upcoming changes and
briefing depots.
Streamlined reporting with quick
responses and visible follow-ups.
Career development and map
progression for drivers and staff.
Compliance as a constant
Regulation is forever changing, and
the operators who invest in people and
openness will find it easier to absorb.
The best compliance strategy is to
build an operation capable of adapting,
rather than simply reacting the fastest to
the next rule.
Good training, experienced staff and
strong safety culture makes businesses
more resilient to future changes.
Preparing for a new requirement isn't
just a paperwork exercise for a specialist
tanker fleet. It means giving drivers time
to understand what's changing in how
they record and handle a load, before
the deadline arrives, rather than after
something's gone wrong.
