Section 1 – Introduction
blu-3 (UK) Limited is a fully integrated infrastructure provider delivering expertise and knowledge to the UK and Europe’s largest construction projects. Its head office in Larkfield, Kent is supported by additional sites in strategic locations across the Southeast. The Fleet department for blu-3 (UK) Limited, explains how the company has continued to increase the average mpg of its vehicles whilst simultaneously reducing fuel usage, carbon dioxide emissions, accident frequency and overall distance covered since joining FORS and passing its first bronze accreditation in 2009. This not only benefits blu-3 (UK) Limited but more importantly, members of the public, other road users and the environment.
Section 2 – How did you hear about FORS, what prompted the company to join and how long have you been a member?
We were first introduced to FORS in January 2009 by officers of the HGV traffic division of the Metropolitan Police Service. At the time, the Metropolitan Police Service was promoting FORS on behalf of the Mayor of London to improve the standards of HGV operators based in London boroughs. We recognised that attaining FORS standards would help us to achieve best practice with regards to our transport operations and would complement the many accreditations we hold from governing bodies within the construction industry.
Section 3 – What was your experience of the initial FORS Bronze audit?
The initial FORS bronze audit was daunting to begin with, but the auditor quickly put us at ease. Working together, we realised that many of the systems and processes required (risk assessments, policies, training records, audits etc.) were already in place and met the required standard, which we have maintained over the years to keep our certifications. (Comments taken from original submission as person who sat the audit is no longer with the business)
Section 4 – What was your main reason(s) for you progressing (either from Bronze to Silver and then Silver to Gold or straight from Bronze to Gold)?
We decided to progress to silver and ultimately gold as we wanted blu-3 to lead the way in implementing best practice. We also realised the potential for financial savings delivered by an increase in miles per gallon and a reduction in fuel usage, number of trips made, PCN penalties and accidents. We wanted to show our employees and clients alike that we not only had a duty of care but that we truly cared, and we have continued to do that over the years. Some of our clients are also supporters of FORs and some of them require Silver certification as a minimum for all subcontractors working on their projects.
Whilst being accredited, we really made the most of the benefits on offer, in particular the training system for our drivers and making sure they are kept up to date with the latest courses. We have had a lot of benefit from using the toolbox talks available and have used them to brief all of our drivers and any other companies supporting us to make sure they all meet the same standards. Over the past 3 years we have put 4 people through the FORs practitioner training helping to further improve processes and policies in house along with knowledge of relevant information all of this has helped us to improve not on environmentally and safely but also efficiency and costings.
Matthew Kendall, Head of Compliance & Quality, “There are a number of benefits we have got from our FORs certification. Companies will see it as, we must have this because of a client requirement. But in truth, if utilised properly it offers so much more. We use it to optimise our training for our drivers and make sure they are up to date with the latest regulations and requirements. We have also found that the drivers are constantly looking for efficiencies and smarter routes to reduce the amount of wasted time and fuel usage. We have found that it has made our drivers more aware of their surroundings and give more consideration to safety and the other vehicles or pedestrians around them. Overall, the cost is not considered as the benefits far out way them.”
Gaynor Sharp, Plant & Transport Manager, “It allows blu-3 to have a safer and better fleet efficiency. It also allows us to look into and understand more details about the environmental/sustainable impact including fuel consumption, idling and much more”
Section 6 – What improvements have you made?
These shall include:
- Performance data – Use data provided for FORS requirements S2 and G2. See example below for table (data can be presented in different table format if you prefer)
|
|
MPG | Incidents per 100,000 Kms | CO2 | NOx | PM10 | Number of PCNs | Proportion of fleet that uses alternative fuels |
| Year 2019 | 68.18 | 2.38 | 460.974 | 2298.432 | 39.898 | 7 | 0% |
| Year 2020 | 66.72 | 0.85 | 226.046 | 1096.418 | 18.629 | 34 | 0% |
| Year 2021 | 63.83 | 1.76 | 357.765 | 1506.738 | 25.299 | 91 | 2% |
| Percentage improvement | 6.30% | 26% | 22% | 34.40% | 36% | -1200% | 2% |
Driver health and fitness review – Once a year all our drivers carry out a medical form, this gives them the opportunity to list any existing medical conditions so that they can be taken into consideration, we complete this every year to make sure we also pick up on any new elements. We put the responsibility on to each of our drivers to notify the fleet manager of anything that might put them or others at risk due to medical items or medication. We also carry out eye tests on a 6 monthly basis to make sure everyone has suitable vision. In the event of an incident, we will have the drivers completed a report which will also identify any items that could occur.- Recruitment of drivers – With the work activities we do, we are limited as we only have a couple of full-time drivers as the rest of our drivers are van or personal car drivers. We try to engage we possible with the industry and have a dedicated job description for a backup driver. We also promote roles available internally and externally through various job boards.
- Noise assessment – All of our drivers are advised to switch off their vehicles when not in use to minimise the impact that might be generated on the surrounding area. We make sure that all vans are packed securely to stop the movement of items in the back and further causing noise. We advise everyone to park considerately and properly so not to affect people when we are in the public environment. We also maintain complaints register so that the drivers are aware if complaints are received from members of the public or clients, they will be addressed. All vehicles are maintained as per the manufacturers guidelines and inspections are completed on a regular basis.
- Modal shift and alternative vehicles – As a business we are currently looking into electric vans to use within our fleet. We have already changed our entire company car choices to electric or hybrid options. We are also looking into alternative fuels that we currently use on some of our site vehicles/equipment.
Section 7 – What are your plans for the future?
Looking to the future, our aim is to make continual fleet improvements. When we look at replacing our existing fleet, we are already investigating the suitability of alternative fuelled vehicles, low entry vehicles, vehicles with improved all-round visibility and additional driver aids. We are in the process of installing charging ports for our electric vehicles at our head office in Larkfield. Our entire company car range on offer now is only made up of Electric or Hybrid options. We are now investigating into electric vans yet are trying to make sure we find a solution that is still right for the business in regard to charging capability across the UK and the payload that electric vehicles can take.
Our goal is to continue to maintain FORS gold standard for the foreseeable future. Achieving FORS gold demonstrates to blu-3’s commitment to the welfare of all who are affected by our activities, our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and our ability to deliver services to the highest industry standards.
Section 8 – What evidence do you have of positively promoting FORS at requirement G7?
We have positively promoted FORS by producing 2 alerts and 10 Toolbox talks this year and circulating them not on through our company vehicle users but also within offices and in briefings with our subcontractors to promote FORs. In addition, we have had two more members of our team training up to FORS Practitioner level, we decided that even though they would only require the basic elements of training that we would invest in them for all of the courses.
Section 9 –What FORS Gold accredition means for your organisation/to you?
As a business we strive to always be the best and lead by example. When we hold any certifications, we assess what is beneficial and needed or what is a “nice to have”. FORs gold isn’t a requirement by any of our clients, but I and we as a business see the benefits it brings in holding us accountable to setting targets and keeping to them. It has helped us reduce our impact on the environment, helped our drivers be more aware and take more accountability for their driving. We have found that this has supported us in some of the other sustainable initiatives that we are doing within the business. In summary FORs gold makes us better as a company as it has helped add control to a vital part or our teams and daily transport elements.
Going forward we want to continue to maintain our FORs certifications and get the benefit it offers, either through learning and development, sustainable incentives or improving the financial, safety and neighbours’ elements.
Section 10 – (Optional) Please provide your social media contact details so we can follow your organisation
- LinkedIn – Linkedin.com/company/blu-3-uk-ltd
- Facebook – Facebook.com/blu3uk/
- Twitter – @Blu3UK
Section 11 – FORS members’ feedback questionnaire
Please could you take the time to complete a short questionnaire and provide feedback about FORS. Please note all answers you provide will be strictly confidential and will only be used by FORS to help us to improve the scheme. To access the survey, please click the link here: https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=153908006313