RHA launch new training and approval scheme
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has launched a training and approval scheme for companies that undertake the escorting of abnormal loads and vehicles – a key safety role on Britain’s roads.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has launched a training and approval scheme for companies that undertake the escorting of abnormal loads and vehicles – a key safety role on Britain’s roads.
The new scheme enables firms to show that their staff are trained and meet the requirements of the Code of Practice for Self-Escorting of Abnormal Loads and Abnormal Vehicles, drawn up by the Highways Agency and the sector.
Steve Biddle, secretary of the RHA Heavy Haulage Group, said: “The RHA’s detailed training and approval package has the full support of both the Highways Agency and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Importantly for the industry, the scheme also avoids the expense and complication of a National Vocational Qualification.”
The need for the scheme stems from a shift in policy in 2004, when the role of escorting abnormal loads and vehicles was largely transferred away from the police to abnormal load hauliers.
Hauliers moving abnormal loads or vehicles have a responsibility to ensure that each movement is conducted in a controlled and safe manner. This resulted in the publication by the Highways Agency of the Code of Practice, together with the Abnormal Load Escorting Operating Guidance, in 2005.
“The Code of Practice is an authoritative statement of best practice. It voluntary and is established outside the legislative framework,” continued Steve Biddle. “The Highways Agency, ACPO and the industry agreed that it would be valuable to have a scheme that load escorting companies could use to show that they meet the requirements of the Code of Practice – and we are pleased that we now have such a scheme in place.”
The scheme is available to both RHA members and non-members. For details, contact RHA National Training on 01733 261131 or email Steve Ellis on [email protected].
