FORS has unveiled a new training package designed to help fleet operators better manage driver fatigue.
Time Smart is the latest addition to the FORS Professional training portfolio and comprises a toolkit and two interactive learning webinars, Time Smart – Fatigue Management and Time Smart –Drivers’ Hours.
The learning package is designed for FORS members who have direct line management responsibilities for driver shift planning, monitoring of fatigue and ensuring compliance with drivers’ hours’ regulations. This includes shift supervisors, transport managers, owner-operators and those with line management responsibility.
The Time Smart fleet manager toolkit, which is available free to all FORS members, provides easily applied practical advice and resources, as well as internal communication materials. It has been designed to help supervisors and managers of all vehicle types adopt industry best practice regarding both fatigue and drivers’ hours management. The information will also help FORS operators understand how to meet the requirements for drivers’ hours and driver health at FORS Bronze, the first level of the progressive accreditation.
This online toolkit includes two independent webinars. Once completed, the fatigue management and drivers’ hours’ management webinars will equip delegates with a working knowledge of how to manage fatigue, and how to embed an effective fatigue management policy. Attendees will understand fatigue-related legislation so that they can ensure they remain legally compliant at all times and mitigate the serious safety risks that fatigue can pose.
Both webinars are six hours long, with each focusing on a specific time management issue. Designed to support fleet managers responsible for all vehicle types, FORS Professional Time Smart – Fatigue Management highlights the factors that can influence fatigue, such as medical conditions while outlining the responsibilities a company has in managing fatigue. This module also provides details on the legislative requirements of fatigue management and the importance of effective shift planning.
FORS Professional Time Smart – Drivers’ Hours Management webinar provides an overview of EU drivers’ hours, UK hours and AETR regulations, details on which tachograph recording equipment must be used, how best to record and manage drivers’ hours and relevant operator licensing requirements, specifically for HGV, PCV and mixed-fleet managers.
FORS Director, John Hix, said: ‘The new Time Smart toolkit provides a welcome training solution in a topic not previously covered within the broad FORS Professional portfolio.
‘Driver safety is crucial for all road transport operators and is a guiding principle that sits at the heart of FORS. Effective time management, as explored in the new FORS Time Smart toolkit will ensure members can fulfil their legal obligations to driver fatigue management and improve the safety of their drivers and all road users. We hope that FORS members will make the most of their membership by downloading this useful online resource and by booking onto the discounted.’
