Fuel hauliers have welcomed the launch of a national training safety-standard for tanker drivers, and are gearing up to put their staff through the Petroleum Drivers’ Passport (PDP) scheme.
The PDP scheme aims to ensure a national standard is followed by all UK fuel tanker drivers, ensuring they have a common knowledge and competence in the loading, driving and offloading of fuel tankers.
It was created by the UK Downstream Oil Distribution Forum (DODF) – a pan-industry group including government bodies, trade associations, unions and fuel hauliers – as part of the proposals put in place after last year’s high-profile fuel tanker industrial action was narrowly avoided.
Scheme administrator, the Scottish Qualifications Association, is now urging operators to apply for approval to carry out PDP training and practical assessments.
The PDP has been designed to sit alongside existing regulation for drivers, with a five-year renewal cycle in line with ADR training. Annual refresher requirements can also be aligned with the Driver CPC.
Operators' views on the PDP
Norbert Dentressangle told Motortransport.co.uk that it plans to apply to become a PDP training provider for both internal and external drivers.
Ann Dawson, MD at Norbert Dentressangle Tankers, said: “I am a big supporter of the PDP and its policy of an annual practical assessment. For many years we have offered comprehensive ADR training to both internal and external candidates, and it is our intention to fully support the PDP scheme with extensive training through our dedicated driver training centre.”
Turners (Soham) also confirmed it will submit an application to the SQA to train the 200 petroleum drivers across its business, which now incorporates the fuel distribution operation of recently acquired Lewis Tankers.
Colin Rutherford, general manager at Turners (Soham), told Motortransport.co.uk: “Turners has been involved in the establishing of the DODF Training Standard and we fully support this industry initiative to promote consistently high levels of training across the industry.”
Sucklings Transport, meanwhile, said it plans to send its driver trainers on a course, who will then deliver the PDP to the rest of the workforce.
“We will JAUPT approve this training to gain the necessary hours for the Driver CPC. We did this with the introduction of the Driver CPC and it worked well for us. We see there will be benefits for the industry as a whole, maintaining high standards in training and safety,” said general manager Mick Smith.
A spokesman from BP said it too will offer in-house training, and that the company supports the “enhancement to safety across the sector”.
