August 2009

New course offered

IN THESE TIMES when there is a dearth of good training courses available to the market, it is good to see that Fleet Control Services, a company which has been offering transport related training courses to the market since 1977, is not only continuing its already established offerings but is adding to its menu as well. 

The latest course to be added is titled ‘Accident Reporting and Investigation’, the introduction of which is most apt in these times when accidents seem to be very much on the increase. Given this fact, companies need to be more clued up when it comes to reporting and investigating their accidents and this for a number of reasons, not least of which is ensuring that insurance companies get the correct information when it comes to your liability in the event of an accident claim. 

When an accident occurs involving a motor vehicle, whether on a public road or on private property, a number of aspects need to be considered. Firstly, there are legal requirements. If the accident occurred on a public road, the driver of the vehicle will have to comply with the duties specified in the National Road Traffic Act. If, on the other hand, the incident occurred on private property, the Occupational Health and Safety laws will come into effect. 

Secondly, in addition to any legal requirements, there will be various company requirements to be fulfilled, including an investigation to determine the real cause of the accident and prevent a recurrence. The most difficult part of any investigation, regardless of fatalities or injuries, is to stay impartial and without prejudice of any kind. There must be no emotion shown which could indicate the contrary as this could prejudice the outcome. 

Bearing all this in mind, the course content details all legal requirements; how to protect the company; accident site inspection; inspection of vehicles involved in accidents; reports of drivers and other involved persons, as well as preparing the incident report. 

There are many other courses on offer and we encourage operators to check out which are pertinent to the advancement of your company and staff. The courses range from 10-day intensive Fleet Management Training courses down to a host of two-day – and longer - courses in the areas of administration and control, technical, courses for workshop assistants and for drivers as well as on Dangerous Goods transportation. 

We lift out hats to the Fleet Control Services team of Guido Marchio, Jim Brooks and Karl de Villiers for continuing to promote and encourage training as a route to transport sustainability and profitability. Such efforts can only stand the industry in good stead over the long term.