We care do you? - Community Transport Association

WE CARE,DO YOU?Training your drivers

Why do I need to trainmy drivers?The Health and Safety Executive nowregards driving as one of the mostdangerous regular activities that mostpeople do. Statistically, working as adriver is almost as dangerous as being adeep sea fisherman or working in a quarry,and more dangerous than working in theconstruction industry.Under the Health and Safety atWork etc Act 1974, organisations havea responsibility to provide information,instruction, training and supervision to alltheir staff, and a responsibility to protectthe health, safety and welfare of everyoneaffected by the organisation. This is furtherendorsed under the Management of Healthand Safety at Work Regulations 1999,which also place a duty on organisations toprovide appropriate training to staff.So there is a clear, legal, obligation toensure your drivers are trained.> What are the benefits oftraining my drivers?Besides the obvious legal requirementsthere are other benefits, not only to yourorganisation but also to your drivers andpassengers. Trained drivers will drive yourvehicles in a more sympathetic manner,thus helping to reduce maintenance andfuel costs. They will have fewer accidents,resulting in lower insurance premiums andless “down-time” of vehicles. The skills theylearn during training can be transferred totheir own vehicles, with the same potentialreduction in running costs. Perhaps themost significant benefit of all is to yourpassengers, who will be transported in asafe and comfortable manner.So there are far more reasons fortraining than simply because the law saysyou have to.> I can see that I need to trainpaid staff, but what aboutvolunteers?In the publication Charity and VoluntaryWorkers: A Guide to Health and Safetyat Work, the Health and Safety Executivestates: “In general, the same healthand safety standards should be appliedto voluntary workers as they would toemployees exposed to the same risks.”There may not be strict legal duties butthe implication from this statement is clear,you should offer the same level of trainingto a volunteer driver as you would to apaid one.There are also other reasons for trainingvolunteers, not least of which is makingthem feel a valuable part of the team byreceiving the same training as other staffmembers. You may also find it easier torecruit, as potential volunteers are morelikely to come to an organisation thatobviously cares about its voluntary staff,and of course, you may find it easier tohang on to them once you’ve got them!> OK, so I need to train all mydrivers, what should I do?The simple solution to your driver trainingneeds is to join MiDAS.MiDAS is the award-winning* MinibusDriver Awareness Scheme, organised bythe CTA. MiDAS is a nationally recognisedstandard for the assessment and trainingof drivers. It is a membership scheme,which is free to join, that has beendesigned to enhance driving standardsand promote the safe operation of thesevehicles. It is a membership scheme,2 Training your drivers

free to join,designed to enhance drivingstandards and promote the safe operationof minibuses.* In 2003, MiDAS won a National Training Award> Who is MiDAS aimed at?MiDAS is applicable to any organisationthat transports passengers by road, andmember organisations range from smallvoluntary organisations operating onevehicle to local authorities operating largevehicle fleets. Many schools and othereducational establishments are membersand in its guidance to schools usingminibuses, the Department for Educationand Skills cites MiDAS training as goodpractice for all schools.Don’t worry if you haven’t got avehicle, you can still join MiDAS andhave anyone who will be driving for yourorganisation trained.> How does MiDAS work?MiDAS operates on a “cascade” approach,with a number of CTA-appointed TrainingAgents providing training for minibusDriver Assessor Trainers (DATs) or DriverObservers who then deliver trainingto drivers.If you do not want your own trainer, youcan approach another MiDAS member totrain your drivers for you. Or, if you wish, youcan approach a Training Agent to delivertraining directly to your drivers.Whichever way you choose, your driverswill receive the same level of training andyou will have the option of purchasing acomprehensive Minibus Driver’s Handbookor a Car & MPV Driver’s Handbook.You will find a full list of Training Agentsand their contact details on the MiDAS pageof the CTA website: www.ctauk.org. Orif you would like a list of DATs in your areaemail: MiDAS@ctauk.org> What does MiDAStraining include?Under MiDAS, drivers attend an intensiveclassroom-based theory training sessionthat looks at:> Defensive driving> Drivers’ legal responsibilities> Passenger safety> Health and safety awareness> Manual handling awareness> Personal safety for drivers> Collision and breakdown procedures.They also undertake an extensive, on-roadassessment of their driving skills and awritten, multiple-choice theory assessmentbefore being awarded a certificate.Drivers of accessible vehicles undertakefurther training in the skills and knowledgethey require to safely use an accessible vehicle and they must successfullycomplete a practical skills assessmentbefore being issued with their certificate.> What makes MiDAS different toother driver training schemes?The extensive network of MiDAS trainersmeans that it is readily available throughoutthe UK. But the significant difference fromthe majority of training schemes is that itis not simply a one-off course and test.MiDAS has a four-year refresher cycle,drivers must attend refresher training(including another on-road assessment)every four years in order to retain theirentitlement. This not only means that theirdriving skills are maintained but that theywww.ctauk.org 5

are also fully equipped with the latestinformation on legal and safety issues.In order to maintain their level of skills,knowledge and training entitlements,Training Agents and DATs are required toattend refresher training every two years.Find out more about MiDAS:> on the MiDAS page of the CTAwebsite www.ctauk.org> email MiDAS@ctauk.org> or telephone 08707 743586> MiDAS is just what I amlooking for. How do I join?As mentioned previously in this brochure,MiDAS is free to join. A membershipapplication form can be downloaded fromthe MiDAS page of the CTA website, oralternatively you can request one by email.Once your application has been processedyou will be issued with a membershipnumber and you will need to quote thisnumber every time you access MiDAStraining or materials.On joining you make a commitmentto assess and train all new drivers of yourvehicles from the date you join and allexisting drivers within a 12-month period.Supports the CTA & MiDASwww.qstraint.comMiDAS has been developed by HampshireCounty Council’s Passenger TransportGroup. All material forming part of the MiDASprogramme is the copyright of HampshireCounty Council. MiDAS is licensed to theCommunity Transport Association for use inthe UK outside Hampshire.> What if my drivers arealready trained?If you have an existing driver trainingprogramme but would now like to committo MiDAS, you can apply for an exemptionfrom training your existing drivers. Ifyou wish to do this you can request anexemption form by emailing MiDAS. You willbe asked to detail the training your drivershave received.Exemptions are at the discretion ofMiDAS and cannot be guaranteed. Theyonly exempt your existing drivers from initialMiDAS training. Although you will be ableto issue exempted drivers with certificates,they will have to attend refresher training inorder to maintain their entitlement.Email: MiDAS@ctauk.orgAdvice Line number: 0845 130 6195Central Office, HighbankHalton Street, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 2NYTel: 08707 743586Fax: 08707 743581Email: info@ctauk.orgwww.ctauk.org6 Training your drivers

Are you a member of CTA UK?If not, here are 10 good reasons to join:“ The CTA is our first contactfor all community transportenquiries. They have beeninstrumental in all oursuccesses from day one andhave provided guidance everystep of the way” Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus1 Reduced rates for entry to the UK’s largest Community andVoluntary Transport Event2 Cheaper insurance premiums for minibus operators throughCTA Insurance3 Discounts on the purchase of a range of new vehicles4 Free subscription to CTA Journal, the UK’s leading publicationfor everyone involved in community and voluntary transport,published six times a year5 Discounts on all CTA publications6 Extensive training programme tailored to the needs of voluntaryand community transport operators7 Unlimited advice and information on a wide range of legal andtechnical issues8 CTA can issue Section 19 permits and undertake CRBscreening exclusively for members9 Opportunities for networking and sharing experiences10 Ensure that your views are represented at all levels of governmentTo find out more about the benefits of joining the CTA,call our membership team now on 08707 743586

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