FORS Accreditation is a phrase that has been thrown around for a while now and is only going to become more common as time goes on as safety and efficiency are rightly a top priority for many companies working with fleets of vehicles to ensure their business runs as smoothly as possible with as few interruptions in the supply chain as possible.
So what is FORS Accreditation you might be asking, well FORS stands for Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme and is a voluntary accreditation scheme that many companies now require their suppliers and service providers to abide by to maintain the highest standards of safety and efficiency. FORS is broken down into three levels, Bronze Silver and Gold with each level containing different standards for safety and efficiency, each level must be completed before graduating to the next stage.
FORS covers more than just the vehicles of course, it covers the fleet operators procedures and company guidelines as well as the vehicle safety measures in place to ensure each vehicle is as safe as possible.
Below is a breakdown of everything you’ll need to achieve success in your FORS Accreditation applications
BRONZE Accreditation:
Management
- To manage, review, revise and retain all policies and procedures, risk assessments, method statements and supporting documents relevant to the FORS Standard.
- To manage and retain all records relevant to the FORS Standard.
- To appoint a trained, experienced and (where necessary) qualified person responsible to run the fleet operation.
- To provide adequate staff resources to run the fleet operation.
- To communicate fleet management policies and procedures to all staff involved in the fleet operation.
- To document details of the vehicle fleet and how vehicles are distributed across the organisation.
- To hold all regulatory licences and permits relevant to the fleet operation.
- To maintain safe and healthy working conditions.
- To review and act upon any complaint made against the fleet operation.
- To record, investigate and take action against all transport-related infringements.
- To keep up-to-date with developments in the fleet and road transport industry.
Vehicles
- To maintain vehicles, trailers and specialist equipment in a serviceable and roadworthy condition.
- To check vehicles, trailers and specialist equipment for defects immediately before they are used.
- To hold a minimum of third party insurance or self-insurance for the fleet and any other insurance necessary to provide financial protection to the operation.
- To tax all vehicles operating on public roads.
- To load vehicles and trailers safely and within the legal limits.
- To fit larger vehicles with safety equipment that helps protect vulnerable road users including:
- Blind Spot Warning signage to the rear of the vehicle
- Side under-run protection to both sides of the vehicle
- Class V and VI Close-Proximity Mirrors
- London Operations are required to comply with recently introduced Driving Vision Standards (DVS).
- To monitor tyre usage and maintain tyres in a serviceable and roadworthy condition.
Drivers
- To verify that all drivers hold a valid licence for the category and type of vehicle they are tasked to drive and manage any risks associated with endorsements or restrictions.
- To require all drivers to have knowledge of and comply with the rules of the road.
- To inform drivers and other staff involved in the fleet operation of the fleet operation policies, procedures and FORS accreditation, from the start of their employment.
- To professionally develop drivers and all other staff involved in the fleet operation, through progressive FORS Professional Development.
- To not cause or permit a driver to use a hand-held mobile phone or any other handheld communication device while driving.
- To require that drivers are fit to drive, are not impaired and meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving.
- To manage drivers’ working time and driving hours.
Operations
- To adhere to compliant, safe and efficient routes.
- To monitor fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.
- To document and investigate road traffic collisions, incidents and near-misses
- To carry passengers in such a manner that no danger is likely to be caused.
- To conduct specialist operations safely and in accordance with the law.
- To minimise the risk of theft of vehicles, fuel, equipment and loads.
- To recognise the current terrorist threat and raise awareness, security and vigilance across the organisation.
SILVER Accreditation:
- To maintain the requirements of the FORS Bronze accreditation awarded.
- To actively monitor and benchmark operational performance data.
- To commit to reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.
- To investigate and analyse road traffic collisions, incidents and near-misses.
- To professionally develop drivers and other staff involved in the fleet operation, through progressive FORS Professional Development.
- To fit HGVs with enhanced safety equipment to help protect vulnerable road users including
- Blind spot vision aids that provide the driver with a full view of the near-side vehicle blind spot
- An audible warning system that alerts other road users of left-turn and reversing manoeuvres
- To conduct and comply with a noise impact assessment at operating centres and noise sensitive locations.
- To actively promote FORS and the requirements of the FORS Standard across the organisation.
- To require FORS accreditation throughout sub-contracted services that are delivered on behalf of FORS-specifying clients.
GOLD Accreditation:
- To maintain the requirements of the FORS Silver accreditation awarded.
- To demonstrate meaningful improvements against the performance data evidenced at FORS Silver.
- To develop and publish a case study that describes FORS progression.
- To actively attract, recruit and retain drivers and other staff involved in the fleet operation.
- To develop, motivate and engage drivers and all other staff involved in the fleet operation to further their professional development.
- To progress further to reduce the environmental, safety and congestion impacts on the road network.
- To promote FORS and the FORS Standard.
- To encourage the promotion of sustainable and cost-effective staff travel behaviour.
- To require FORS accreditation throughout contracted services that are delivered on behalf of the FORS operator.
For further details on FORS Accreditation requirements please view the FORS Accreditation Manual. (Available here)
For more information on any EchoMaster products and to prepare your fleet for any future industry trends and regulations, please get in touch with our team who will be happy to help you with your unique business needs.