Cybit white paper on Health & Safety

13 February 2009, 8:29pm

Cybit, the vehicle tracking and telematics company, has just finalised a white paper on Health & Safety which aims is to raise awareness of the specific legal components applicable to fleet managers. The document highlights how Cybit believes vehicle telematics can address many Fleet Managers' compliance concerns including: the formulation of policy, the monitoring of a fleet and the strategic review of risk.
John Wisdom, Sales & Marketing Director at Cybit, highlights how he believes the recent UK Health & Safety Offences Act that came into force in January will trigger further interest in Telematics technology, because of its ability to remotely provide enhanced fleet visibility and data on driver behaviour. So for example, which routes a driver is taking or how fast a particular vehicle is travelling. Telematics has fast become a business critical tool for many fleet organisations because of the strategic information it reports on. Fleet data can not only help cut business costs but also assist in monitoring compliance.

John Wisdom, Sales and Marketing Director, Cybit: "Research suggests that 79 per cent of companies have no method of formally monitoring their existing safety policies for employees driving on company business."

"The recent Health and Safety offences act that came into force in January is likely to trigger new interest in technology that can help monitor the workforce and aid compliance with a range of work-related road safety regulations. Vehicle Telematics can help to do this by providing remote visibility and high quality data on driver behaviour. This is in addition to the proven benefits of strategic cost control."

"Key advantages of the web-delivered tracking software include an ability to monitor hours worked, time driven without breaks, harsh braking and acceleration as well as instances of excessive speed. CanBus technology can complement this data by integrating information on engine usage, vehicle axle weight and notification of when hazard/safety warnings are triggered."

"The monitoring of vehicles enables organisations to not just manage on-road safety, but also strictly maintain preventative maintenance schedules. As warning lights are triggered or specific mileage thresholds are surpassed - and picked up by vehicle tracking / CanBus interfaces - fleet managers can plan in measures to amend potential safety threats."

"Fleet managers can also use the information monitoring and storage functions of telematics systems to monitor driver training and restrictions. Driver information - including qualifications - can be stored and then matched against factors such as vehicle types and road conditions to ensure that the employee is not presented with situations that they have not been trained for. Live updates and notifications of short-falls can enable managers to make informed decisions on where training is required urgently, or when license disqualifications limit an employee's duties."

"Case studies and research demonstrate that robust monitoring of policy enables a fleet organisation to benefit from: Fewer injuries requiring time off from work; Less requirement for investigation and associated reporting; Less lost time due to rescheduling of work; Less vehicle downtime for repair and fewer vehicles off the road; Fewer business opportunities risked and lost due to missed service; Reduced running costs through better driving standards and a robust method of monitoring and managing Carbon Footprint."

"Alongside duty of care and compliance, telematics is proven to provide the tools to exercise better control over costs including payroll verification, fuel use, vehicle economy and most efficient allocation of closest available resource."

Cybit Ltd

Geo: International