The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) accreditation scheme aims to raise the level of quality within commercial freight and passenger fleet operations, and to demonstrate which operators are achieving exemplary levels of best practice in safety, efficiency, and environmental protection, and has been updated with the new standard coming into effect on 1st July 2022. Operators have had since last October when the changes to the standard were first announced to transition to the latest set of requirements.
Since being introduced in 2008 by Transport for London (TfL), FORS has grown in popularity and now extends to all parts of the UK with a significant and fast-growing number of customers demanding compliance to the standard for operators to carry out work on their behalf.
The latest standard (Version 6.0), continues to include a requirement for fleet operators to have policies and supporting procedures in place to prevent driver impairment through drugs and alcohol and outlines what action should be taken when suspecting driver impairment and for drug and alcohol testing to be conducted before employment or the start of a particular contract, routinely, randomly, or unannounced and after involvement in a road traffic collision, incident or near-miss.
Ean Lewin, Managing Director for D.tec International, the UK’s leading provider of drug and alcohol testing services and equipment for safety critical employees, said “I am delighted that FORS have continued to recognise the importance of addressing the growing trend of drug and alcohol related incidents in our workplaces and on our roads. Employers must embrace the issue and ensure that they have robust policies and procedures in place, such as those required by FORS, to help tackle the problem”.
The past 12-months have seen a renewed focus on drink and drug driving with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) updating its guidance to employers on the subject. The Department for Transport have also launched a call for evidence in relation to drug driving and parliament are actively debating tougher penalties for drug drivers.
New laws have already been introduced which could see drivers who cause death by careless driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol given life sentences and the first ever summer drink and drug drive campaign will take place next month.
For more information on how D.tec International can help your businesses to stay compliant, visit: https://www.dtecinternational.com/FORS