Delivering success: The key steps in our transport process

At voestalpine Metsec plc, we recognise that delivery is an important step in the product journey; although it’s vital that the manufacturing process is quality controlled, a company needs to be able to meet a customer’s turnaround time demands and ensure that the product is delivered securely.

We have considered every element when it comes to delivery to ensure we can provide a number of solutions to meet a customer’s unique needs. For example, when carrying out onsite deliveries in London, the site may request to be Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and Construction Logistics and Cyclist Safety Scheme (CLOCS) accredited. These accreditations allow Metsec drivers to have a higher standard of safety with venerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Explore the steps in our delivery process and how we work with customers to ensure safe delivery with a quick turnaround below.

Industry standards

Awareness of the potential impact that vulnerable road users and goods vehicles may have on the roads is increasing, and therefore higher standards of safety when delivery products are now expected.

Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is quickly gaining ground as the transport industry’s go-to accreditation scheme. It covers safety, efficiency and environmental protection by encouraging and training fleet operators to measure, monitor and improve performance.

Construction Logistics and Cyclist Safety Scheme (CLOCS) is another scheme gaining prominence. The national standard requires all stakeholders in construction to take responsibility for health and safety beyond the hoardings.

Delivery requirements

Effective and efficient delivery is a key part of the day-to-day logistics of any construction project and main contractors or site owners should ensure safe, adequate facilities for offloading as every site has different conditions.

It is mandatory that any information should be forwarded to us beforehand in a logistics plan, including contact name position and telephone numbers; suitability of site for the vehicles requested; traffic routing; control of site traffic, particularly at peak hours; site access and egress; and vehicle loading and unloading facilities and method. We can provide assistance when creating a logistics plan.

Specific projects

Some projects have their own requirements, such as Crossrail. All Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) should be fitted with safety devices including blind spot proximity sensors, side under-run guards and warning alerts for cyclists.

This is incredibly important, as any HGVs not meeting these requirements will be turned away from worksites. Metsec can supply materials on vehicles conforming to these stringent requirements.

Health and safety

Health and safety is arguably the most important element of the delivery process, and we consider every step to ensure safety is always priority.

Every Metsec driver undergoes a comprehensive induction and ongoing training. We go above and beyond statutory and mandatory training, but also look to improve core skills and develop the entire process, including lifestyle, eating habits, the effects of fatigue and stress, and public and environmental safety. Our onsite training facilities are JAUPT approved and audited by FORS, ISO and VOSA training is delivered in a variety of formats.

A licence check is also conducted every six months using the DVLA check site and the latest Highway Code is issued at induction. There is a written vulnerable road user policy included in the company employee handbook and the company safety handbook. We also have a specific driver CPC training module for the vulnerable road user and eLearning modules on cycle safety and security along with SUD and CPC training.

A list of the various vehicles we have available to meet delivery requirements are below:

• Articulated flat bed
• Articulated extendable flat bed
• Rigid demountable flat bed
• Rigid 6 wheeler flat bed
• Pick up flat bed
• Articulated curtain sided
• Articulated urban curtain sided
• Rigid demountable curtain sided
• Rigid 6 wheeler curtain sided
• Pick up curtain sided
• Hiab vehicles
• Moffet vehicles