CIRCLE EXPRESS, the preferred road transport provider to the airfreight industry, has pioneered a series of training courses for all personnel involved in the handling or transporting of hazardous goods.
It is a legal requirement of ADR (the European Agreement on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) that everyone involved with dangerous goods must have basic awareness training.
NICK HEDDERLY is Circle's fleet director responsible for ensuring that all Circle personnel working in this area receive the necessary training. For preliminary training, Mr. Hedderly has produced a special visual presentation on the subject, which Circle staff must view and then undertake a test. Those failing the test are given an opportunity to retake it. However, Circle say that most pass the test first time.
However, for full ADR training for drivers carrying loads which are deemed to be "in scope" of ADR, a more detailed four-day course, with exams at the end is provided. The form and content of the course is laid out in the ADR books, which is then distilled by recognised authorities in each of the signatory countries; for example, in the UK it is the Department for Transport and their agents the DVLA and presently the SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority). The DVLA issue the license upon instruction from the SQA (the awarding body) who organize the exams and course structure/content.
Circle enlisted the help of EP Training in Great Bookham to assist in setting up these training courses, and Hedderly says they have been very supportive in providing good advice
Circle claims they are not aware of any other similar next-day delivery or courier companies that have established their own in-house training centre. To add authority to its work in this area, Circle is now a member of NDGTC (National Dangerous Goods Training Consortium) which is a body comprising training providers, through which Circle receives invaluable assistance in securing the best possible training aids and materials to run its ADR courses.
As the awarding body, SQA ensures that Circle is maintaining the proper records and delivering approved courses, as well as keeping to approved timetables
In the training courses which Circle has run to date, there has been an overall pass rate of 85%. This figure impressed representatives from NDGTC when they sat in on one of the recent courses.
Nick Hedderly, Circle's Fleet Director, joined the company in 1982, and is responsible for all operational aspects of the company fleet, as well as delivering training courses on ADR, Aviation Security and Hazardous Awareness. He holds City & Guilds Motor Vehicle Technician and National Craftsman, DGSA, CPC and RPS qualifications. Through dedication and enthusiasm, he has, with the assistance of his Circle colleague Matthew Richardson, devised and nurtured a very valuable and important value-added service for Circle, which is playing a large part in enhancing Circle's reputation for excellent customer service.
Although, at present, Circle is providing courses to its own and agency drivers, there are plans to market them to external customers, and Circle confirms that they have already had approaches from several other companies.
For further details, contact Nick Hedderly on 01753-214638 or email: nick.hedderly@circleexpress.co.uk