Unite warning on haulage dangers
Unite warning on haulage dangers
The government must act to protect Britain's 300,000 heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers from excessive hours and other abuses, transport union Unite has said. The union is calling on transport secretary Justine Greening to boost the resources for the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), which regulates the roadworthiness of the industry's lorries and drivers' working hours. Unite's call has come in the wake of the recent tragic accidents on the M5 and M56 which cost the lives of eight people and injured many more. Three of those that died were lorry drivers. Unite, which represents about 60,000 drivers and transport workers in the haulage industry, said it was concerned that some companies may be operating on 'the edges of legality'. The maximum legal hours ceiling is 56 hours-a-week. Unite national officer for road transport Matt Draper said: 'We have serious concerns that, potentially, a culture of long hours and unreasonable routing could be contributing to accidents. We are seeing the amount of hours drivers are expected to work continually rise, at a time when their terms and conditions are being eroded. Some haulage firm bosses, in a very competitive environment, are pushing at the boundaries of legality. The industry must recognise the cumulative effect of drivers working tough schedules and 15 hour-days.' He said the union would be writing to the transport secretary to call for extra funding for VOSA. It also wants the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the 'scheduling practices' of haulage companies. 'Drivers are expected to sleep in their cabs after a long shift, often by the roadside due to the lack of facilities that are taken for granted, such as washing facilities and a decent place to get some well-needed rest,' he said.
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