The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has partnered with National Highways’ Driving for Better Business (DfBB) scheme, reinforcing the industry’s ongoing commitments to road safety.
The partnership will provide the MPA and its members with access to a wealth of free resources to help them manage work-related road risk.
The trade association represents producers of aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, stone and industrial minerals. Its members collectively transport more than one million tonnes of construction materials every day and run vehicles ranging from heavy trucks to smaller commercial vehicles and vans.
The MPA joins a growing number of UK organisations taking the next step towards eliminating road-related risk. Driving is one of the highest-risk activities that workers in the mineral products sector undertake, whether they drive a truck, van, company car or make occasional work journeys in their own vehicle.
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.
MPA head of health and safety Colin Mew said: “The mineral products industry transports huge volumes of materials to where they are needed in construction and manufacturing, and most of that volume goes by road. Within our Vision Zero strategy, and working with our members, we have already taken major steps to reduce road traffic accidents as one of the six highest consequence hazards (‘The Fatal 6’) known to cause the most serious injuries in our sector.
“Our new partnership with Driving for Better Business is an important step to take the industry to the next level and fulfil our duty of care both within and outside of work – DfBB clearly shares our vision and we’re looking forward to working with the team to help our industry to realise it.”
The DfBB programme has already registered more than two million drivers, more than one million company cars, more than 1 million light commercials vehicles and more than 200,000 HGVs.
National Highways’ Driving for Better Business lead, Anne-Marie Penny commented: “Partnering with organisations that share our vision is inspiring and I’m especially pleased to welcome the Mineral Products Association to the Driving for Better Business family to work together promoting good practice in road risk management, among its members, helping everyone to get home safe and well.
“By becoming a partner, MPA members will have access to a range of free resources, guides and tools. These will help deliver significant benefits, both for the companies and their employees.”
Driving for Better Business will be at this April’s Great British Fleet Event to discuss how it can support fleets to reduce risk, improve driver safety wellbeing and behaviour, and check whether their driving for work policies are compliant.
The Great British Fleet Event takes place on 17 April 2024 at Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes. Further event details – including how to register for a free ticket – are here.
