New FORS standard brings new challenges to construction hauliers
The new version of the FORS standard, which delayed due to coronavirus pandemic, was made effective on the 1st July 2022 and with it brings more hurdles for UK hauliers.
The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is one of the UK’s most recognised voluntary certificate schemes aimed at ensuring that fleet operators work lawfully and to best practise by meeting the FORS Standard. Hauliers have to complete a series of audits to obtain the accreditation which is split into 3 standards, Bronze, Silver and Gold.
With the growing number of clients demanding this accreditation, its has been almost essential to a construction haulier’s survival to attain the certification. With the latest changes to standard, hauliers up and down the UK have now got to implement the measures before their next inevitable annual audit
What are the key changes?
- Operators must report to FORS any licence or permit revocations, suspensions, or curtailments.
- Clarification around operational and driving at work risk to be assessed
- Inclusion of inspection records on ‘first use inspections’ of leased and loaned vehicles
- Proof of driver’s competence to repair ‘minor defects’ must be proved competent
- Class V and Class VI close-proximity mirror fields of view may now be chieved using a camera monitoring system.
- Frequency of driving licence checks for higher risk drivers shall be increased using and approved risk scale
The newly published standard can be viewed here: https://www.fors-online.org.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FORS-Standard-V6.pdf