Edition 4 of the MPA Driver’s Handbook, published in November 2023, provides a comprehensive summary of all aspects good practice and is part of MPA’s drive towards Vision Zero.

Designed for easy reference, the handbook has been jointly developed by the members of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) Transport Committee and Health and Safety Committee, as a tool for working drivers to help them understand and manage the risks that they face and create when driving and operating vehicles for work.

This handbook is jointly developed by the members of the Mineral Products Association (MPA), Transport Committee and Health and Safety Committee, as a tool for drivers of cars and vans to help them understand and manage the risks that they face and create when driving and operating vehicles for work. It will help people make safer choices about the way they drive and behave around vehicles.  

This updated version includes the following additional elements

• Introduction references Vision Zero and Fatal 6
• Content on operation electric cars and vans added
• Wording changed to reflect new rules on use of hand held mobile devices whilst driving
• Section on towing expanded
• Applicable for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes GVW

On Saturday 29th January, a number of changes to the Highway Code came into effect.

To assist its members MPA produced a summary of the changes. The objective was to help avoid the potential for confusion and uncertainty as road users become familiar with the new rules.

One of the most significant introductions is a ‘hierarchy of road users’. This will ensure that people who can cause the most harm in a collision, such as those in vehicles, bear the “greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others”. The bulletin is therefore of particular relevance to drivers of HGVs.

MPA would like to thank CEMEX for allowing MPA to share its work in producing this synopsis.

Following reports of a number of loads for a key customer moving in transit on standard curtain side trailers hauled by sub-contractors, and particularly during the winter months, Wincanton formed a small working party to conduct dynamic testing on various paving products in order to understand and resolve the issues.

The attached presentation details the testing conducted for a wide range of load configurations (palletising, banding, strapping, spacing, corner boards, anti-slip mats) and identifies which configurations provide sufficient dynamic load security. The effects of seasonal weather conditions on dynamic load security are also considered.

MPA has updated the Drivers Handbook,

The purpose of the Driver’s Handbook is to make LGV drivers aware of the risks that they may face or create while driving and operating vehicles and typically understanding how to manage the risks. The handbook outlines what is required of a driver in terms of his or her, vehicle, journey and driving behaviours. In addition it deals with emergency situations and gives practical advice on what to
do to help keep you safe from avoidable harm.

This handbook will help you work with your employer to avoid preventable incidents and injuries to yourself and other people when driving for work. It should be used with your employer’s driving for work policies and procedures.

IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), is one of the most respected names in UK transport, and has always been recognised as an impartial voice of industry.

They have produced a guide on the prevention of rollovers with support of Aggregate Industries, CEMEX, Hanson and TJ TRansport

Vehicles with a particularly high centre of gravity, for example concrete mixers, and those with reduced rigidity such as articulated vehicles are more susceptible in certain conditions to rollover because of their design configuration, shape and load position.

Please share this document.

QNJAC has produced a toolbox talk highlighting

• The statutory duties of those involved with transport
• What actions they can take to avoid breakdowns
• What to do in the event of a breakdown.  

It is aimed at all those responsible for maintaining the safety of persons involved in, or impacted by, road haulage in the event of a vehicle breakdown - drivers, maintenance staff, fleet owners and hauliers, site operators and managers.

The purpose of the Company Car and Van Handbook is to make companies and car/van drivers aware of the risks that they may face or create while driving and operating vehicles and typically understanding how to manage those risks. The handbook outlines what is required of a driver in terms of his or her, vehicle, journey and driving behaviours in line with the rules and regulations of UK roads. Travelling abroad and in Europe is also covered (pages 50-51). In addition it deals with emergency situations and gives practical advice on what to do to help keep you safe from avoidable harm.

'Safe Stop'

Six separate ‘runaway incidents’ in 2024 highlight the importance of drivers ensuring that they follow “Safe Stop” procedures to prevent fatalities, serious injury and damage to property.

Tragically, one of these incidents did result in a fatality, any of the other incidents had the potential to have a similar outcome.

MPA urges members to ensure 'Safe Stop' procedures are in place for all employee and contract drivers, appropriate checks and training is in place.  See pdf for more information

A recent incident alert, that involved the rollover of a readymix truck, highlighted a number of common causes / driver errors associated with rollovers. One of them was

•  Not carrying out a MYSAFE assessment, taking the time to scan the jobsite prior to positioning for discharge.

Following publication of the incident alert, more information has been requested about the MYSPACE system developed by CEMEX , it is a checklist for drivers prior to delivery.

A PowerPoint about MYSPACE and the checklist form have now been added to the toolbox talks on Safequarry.

The system is also referenced on page 26 of the MPA's Drivers Handbook. See below

MPA has partnered with National Highways' 'Driving for Better Business', reinforcing the industry's ongoing commitments to road safety, and taking the next step towards eliminating road-related risk.

Driving for Better Business (DfBB) is a free to access Government-backed National Highways programme, delivered in partnership with leading forum RoadSafe, that aims to improve road safety by promoting good management practices and demonstrating the benefits for organisations, their employees, contractors and other road users.

Image of  the type of resources produced by Diving for Business

Please see attached a summary report from Highways England on a recent vehicle inspection exercise run by Warwickshire Police, covering 173 vehicles.

The report highlights that 35% of the vehicles checked were defective in some way. This included a variety of issues that drivers should have picked up as part of their normal pre-use checks.

The report reinforces the importance of regular and thorough pre-use checks. More information on vehicle checks can be found in the MPA Drivers Handbook which can be downloaded from Safequarry.

Cemex UK has produced a short video on vehicle rollovers.

CEMEX Rollover Video

The video provides information on how vehicles, including mixer trucks and articulated tippers can become unstable and the measures that drivers can take to prevent rollovers. The video includes video footage of actual incidents which provide an impactful message. MPA recommends the video to members as an ideal way to raise awareness amongst their employees and contractors on the potential for vehicle rollovers and the actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of such occurrences.

Many companies have a DnA policy and procedure that covers their employees. However, some difficulties can occur when trying to apply similar standards to non-employed drivers. The aim is compliance - not barring people from sites. This note covers areas that should be added in to an Owner driver/franchisee contract or a hired driver’s purchase order. Impairment could occur from drinking at work, immediately prior to work, or some time before work. It could be from legal drugs inappropriately taken, or illegal drugs. This guidance addresses a number of areas that could be considered.

A Code of Practice on the coupling, uncoupling and parking of trailers produced by the (UK) Institute of Road Transport Engineers. This is aimed at managers, supervisors and trainers but has good advice for everyone who has responsibility for the safety of large goods vehicles and drivers.