“The DODF training standard will build on the good practice that already exists in many parts of the industry,” says Colin Rutherford, general manager, Turners Establishing a common training standard for the training and assessment of petroleum tanker drivers has been the first priority of the UK Downstream Oil Distribution Forum which has introduced a driver safety passport. Re-established last July, the UK Downstream Oil Distribution Forum (DODF) provides an on-going forum for the discussion and resolution of issues relating to health & safety in the downstream oil industry.  The newly constituted group, which represents trade bodies, haulage companies, Unite, the HSE and government departments has agreed  a training standard for all petroleum drivers. This will be additional to ADR and specific to the industry sector and five industry sub sectors – home heat, commercial, aviation, retail and marine.  Forum members include Turners, Norbert Dentressangle, Wincanton, Greenergy, BP, GB Oils and Suckling Transport. Colin Rutherford, general manager, Turners commented: “The DODF training standard will build on the good practice that already exists in many parts of the industry. The combination of an industry-wide training standard with written/practical assessment will guarantee that all drivers in the industry have been trained to a consistently high standard.  We envisage the proposed annual refresher day will also count as driver CPC training and are working to ensure that is the case.”   Content will be delivered by a combination of accredited inhouse or third party training providers. On completion of a written and practical assessment, drivers will be issued with a safety passport. The passport will be valid for five years, but will be subject to an annual refresher assessment. The DODF is now looking to appoint a scheme manager and is working with terminal operators and owners of petroleum products to ensure the scheme has maximum take up across the industry. To return to the newsletter click here.

The deadline for entries to the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme awards has been extended to Friday 22nd February.  Developed to celebrate the efforts of green leaders in the freight industry in reducing their carbon emissions, the inaugural Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme(LCRS) awards consist of the following categories:   – Carbon reduction through fuel efficiency – sponsored by Bridgestone Tyres –  Carbon reduction through use of alternative low carbon fuels and technologies – sponsored by Iveco  –  Carbon reduction through innovative fleet management –   Carbon reduction through use of low carbon transport modes The awards will be judged by a panel of industry experts including FTA president, Stewart Oades.  Launched in September 2012, the awards will be presented at the FTA’s Cutting Carbon, Cutting Costs conference in May.   www.fta.co.uk/lcrs To return to the newsletter click here.

JN Bentley needs “a reliable supplier that will deliver on time, every time Working with construction firm, JN Bentley since 2010, Bayford Oil ensures site operations are kept running with a dependable fuel supply. At any given time, JN Bentley has teams working on a number of sites. The company requires a flexible service and fuel deliveries of anywhere between 1000 to 10,000 litres each time.   Bayford Oil was selected for its national infrastructure which enables the company to deliver any quantity of diesel within 48 hours, whenever required.  More urgent requests for additional fuel can also be accommodated, even at very short notice. “We provide a first class, dependable service and fuel at an affordable price,” said Jonathan Best, Bayford Oil regional manager.  “We offer JN Bentley a national fuel service but ensure we still have a local focus and the same friendly voice at the end of the phone.” Kevin Young, a member of JN Bentley’s buying team, explained: “We require a reliable supplier that will deliver on time, every time because keeping operations running on time is crucial to our business.  Without diesel, the site stops and that simply isn’t an option because even a small, unforeseen stoppage can put projects off track and over budget.” www.bayfordoil.co.uk To return to the newsletter click here.

Oil heating customers receive good customer service from OFTEC registered installers. “It’s clear that something needs to be done about customer service in the energy industry,” says Charter UK in response to a recent Which? report. The new survey by Which? reveals the nation’s best and worst energy companies whilst a report by the Customer Engagement Initiative (CEI) says the UK’s biggest energy firms are still struggling when it comes to customer service. Paul Clark, CEO of Charter UK, the enterprise complaints and feedback specialist, said:  “If you look at the top energy companies which account for 98% of the market, none rank above ninth place in the Which? report. “More damaging still is the CEI survey, which reveals that just 1% of consumers have customer service expectations which are currently being met.  This survey also found that 86% of consumers would be willing to pay more for better customer service. “These energy giants have allowed a laissezfaire approach to their customers to become standard.  What these surveys reveal is that the smaller, upwardly mobile newcomers to the energy market understand the importance of quality customer service and of getting that service right every time.”  www.which.co.uk To return to the newsletter click here.