Introduction
Rhino Waste Services Ltd is a family operated business which was formed in 2013 and provides leading waste management and transport solutions primarily in London, Kent and the M25 perimeter.
The company ethos is ‘Charging towards a Greener London’ with its commitment to ‘zero to landfill’ whilst focusing on being able to supply high quality service with the guarantee of customer satisfaction.
My name is Iain Williams, Operations Manager and I have been employed by Rhino Waste Services Ltd since 05/2016.
Rhino Waste Services Ltd is based in Erith, Kent and benefits from close links to the road network which enables us to efficiently provide a time effective service to our clients.
Our fleet of Euro VI vehicles gives us total compliance to the Ultra-Low Emission Zone whilst returning improvements on fuel efficiency and improving our carbon footprint. FORS has also been an integral part in aiding the company achieve its recently acquired ISO 9001 and 14001.
Through FORS requirements, the company has achieved significant improvements including reductions in fuel use / reduced CO2 emissions, lowered NOx and Particulate Matter emissions, improved its road safety record, decreased transport related fines and charges. Through the FORS scheme we have significantly improved the company image and this has enabled us to increase our client portfolio
FORS awareness
Rhino Waste Services Ltd recognised the FORS scheme after identifying it with other vehicle fleets. We immediately recognised the benefits of membership across the whole spectrum of the standard and knew that FORS would aid the company in achieving its goals of leading the way in achieving best practice, promoting road traffic safety and also reducing our environmental impact.
Initial FORS Bronze audit
Preparation of, and following the initial Bronze audit, Rhino Waste Services Ltd realised the requirement of attention to detail and record keeping, in line with the undertakings on the company Operator Licence and compliance to these. The importance of introducing FORS policies, procedures, risk assessments, safe systems of work, eyesight and licence checks, record keeping (etc) and interrogation of the evidence by the FORS auditor was daunting, but a wake-up call to reality, aligning all formally and benchmarked externally.
FORS Silver was expressed by prospective clients as a contractual requirement and we progressed to FORS Silver in June 2017. Whilst the path of progression was not initially straight forward, FORS encouraged and supported our business throughout the process.
Understanding the standard and following the guidance provided is key to progression and provides an achievable target for all fleet operators.
‘FORS has helped us to achieve robust systems and best practices to support the company in achieving the highest level of compliance and safety standards within the waste sector’ – Lee Johnson, Manging Director.
‘Since becoming FORS accredited it has helped the company to increase our client base by over 50% and our fleet by 85%- the benefits are clear for everybody to see no matter what the size of your organisation. FORS is a contractual requirement for many business and as a prerequisite for tenders, so it made sense to future proof the company’. – Iain Williams, Operations Manager.
Rhino Waste Services Ltd was struggling with its fuel usage and was achieving a very low return on its MGP across the fleet. The company were operating vehicles that were predominantly over 7 years old and running on Euro IV or V engines and recognised that these were uneconomical engines, and so implemented a programmed that would see the whole fleet replaced to Euro VI. Improvements to the fleet have resulted in reduced CO2 emissions, lowered NOx and Particulate Matter emissions.
These vehicles are now crucial to our operation with a high percentage of our clients being located within the ULEZ. Emphasis is now focused on improved driver training and in addition to the regular Safe Urban Driving, we ensure every driver completes a Fuel Saving Module as part of their Driver CPC periodic training so improving performance (less accidents / complaints, PCN & FPNs)
All Rhino Waste Services Ltd vehicles are fitted with 360-degree cameras, near side proximity sensors, audible left turn / reverse alarms and rear safety stickers and improved road safety record, decreased transport related fines and charges etc
We also use our telematics system to run reports on driver behaviour which are analysed for driver training and remedial action.
Improvements (note comparison 2021 against 2019 taking into account COVID, fleet downtime, various Furlough / Govt lockdowns and adverse and fluctuating trading conditions)
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MPG | Incidents per 100,000 Kms | CO2 | NOx | PM10 | Number of PCNs | Proportion of fleet that uses alternative fuels |
| 09-2019 | 8 | 8 | 725.1 | 1,079.9 | 16.1 | 34 | 0% |
| 09-2020 | 7 | 7 | 617.7 | 1,608 | 24.2 | 22 | 0% |
| 09-2021 | 6 | 7 | 983.4 | 1,973 | 30.3 | 15 | 0% |
| Percentage change | 25% | 12.5% | 35.6% | 82% | 88.1% | 55% | 0% |
Driver health and fitness – Rhino Waste Services Ltd is focused on the continued wellbeing of all staff. The drivers and all other members of staff responsible for any operation of company vehicles is to complete a quarterly health declaration and regular eyesight and licence checks are undertaken.
The comprehensive FORS inspired Rhino Waste Services Ltd Driver Handbook gives clear and precise advice and medical conditions which may impact upon the individual’s ability to safely operate the vehicle and the effects and prescribed and non-prescribed medication and offers support where required.
Drivers must keep the company up to date and advise of any medical conditions (FORS D6) which could restrict their ability to drive, as health and safety is key in this industry
Recruitment of drivers – Rhino Waste Services Ltd recruit the right people and identify any internal development opportunities that may be needed for any requirements in the company to help improve knowledge or ability on the road.
Where possible the company attempts to recruit staff from the surrounding area as this assists the company with its continuous improvement regarding staff travel and allows for alternative methods of transport to be utilised such as car share.
Rhino Waste Services Ltd actively encourages development from within the organisation and well seek to promote from within wherever possible and this has proven to be key in improving our staff retention levels.
Noise assessment – the company were previously located within a compact urban area with residential properties within proximity and noise assessments completed by the company proved that due to the nature of our business, noise pollution was of major concern. We have now relocated to an industrial park specific to industrial units and the closest residential dwellings are over one mile from our site.
This has allowed Rhino Waste Services Ltd to operate plant and machinery, the main source of noise generated by the business, in line with our operational requirements. All our vehicles are fitted with the latest white noise reversing alarms and have the facility for the driver to switch this off during unsociable house when required.
FORS Silver required the company to review both Management and Driver Codes of Practices that have raised awareness of noise by introducing a number of key requirements and considerations (in their role).
Modal shift and alternative vehicles – Rhino Waste Services Ltd has investigated and spoken with several manufactures with regards to implementing alternatively fuelled vehicles. Management have attended seminars on such forward thinking and remain network connected to key suppliers.
However, due to the nature of our business which it to transport demolition and construction waste from our customer siters to our waste transfer station there are currently no alternatively fuelled vehicles which are viable to our business.
Electric vehicles would provide the range for a large percentage of our operation, but the additional weight of the vehicles due to battery capacity would significantly impact on our vehicles access to the construction sites we access daily. We have also noted the lack of charging points within the operating area and associated access problems our HGV would face.
Having such a large client base within the centre of London also means that rail, water, or air logistics are equally not viable modes of transportation.
Case Study Author Iain Williams, Operations Manager Rhino Waste Services
Future Plans
Having seen the changes how adopting the FORS principles have already impacted on Rhino Waste Services Ltd business we are keen to continue to build on what we have already achieved. We have implemented a plan to continue to renew all vehicles on a maximum five-year rolling replacement, this ensures we are operating the safest and fuel-efficient vehicles available.
Additionally, we have decided to procure automatic gearboxes as we believe it would return an increase in MPG for the fleet. We shall continue to concentrate on driving training to aid our drivers in reducing our carbon footprint and to ensure that our vehicles are operating to the highest possible standard this minimising our effect on vulnerable road users and making the roads a safer place to be.
Of course, with the COVID health concerns, this has raised the company awareness on employee fitness and health so we are revising the way we monitor employee fitness and health, including mental welfare and understanding.
Obtaining this level of accreditation is a special achievement for Rhino Waste Services Ltd and makes us very proud of our association to the FORS scheme. We have four FORS Practitioners within our organisation, and this shows our commitment and embrace of the scheme and its values.
Rhino Waste Services Ltd shall continue to work closely with FORS and utilise what benefits it offers to it members, continuing to achieve the very highest standards of road traffic safety and to improve the fuel efficiencies of our fleet whilst reducing our carbon footprint.
Promoting FORS
Rhino Waste Services Ltd vehicles carry (proudly) the FORS logo promoting to other road users the FORS brand and being recognised as a FORS Gold member. Our on-going FORS training program (in line with V5.1 D4 Annexes 1 and 2) company website, FORS related tool box talks, email signature and letter footings all positively promote the FORS name.
What FORS means to Rhino Waste Services Ltd
In conclusion, FORS has given Rhino Waste Services Ltd the ability to quickly, simply and effectively implement various strategies to ensure the company and fleet operates as fuel efficient and safely as is possible. Thanks to FORS we now have access to tools such as e-Learning and any updates in the industry including email feeds, toolbox talks and networking links.
Being FORS Gold accredited means we are achieving the best possible practice for us and further increases Rhino Waste Services Ltd credibility for our current and future clientele.
FORS Gold accreditation reassures our drivers that their work performance is being carried out to the best of their ability and therefore encourage them to continue performing at their highest standard. Going forward, Rhino Waste Services Ltd want to continue to reduce harmful emissions and the impact we as a company have on the environment and we as a business intend to keep these high standards up for years to come and keep maintaining our company for the future.
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