Safety first
Council steps up checks on bin lorry drivers after Glasgow crash horror
24.01.2018 Bin lorry bosses say drivers must have advanced medical checks in a bid to avoid horror crashes.
Renfrewshire Council has implemented extra safeguards following the fatal crash that killed six people in Glasgow City Centre.
It revealed steps taken to avoid a repeat of the tragedy in a report to members.
It stated: “Enhanced medical checks have progressed to ensure that existing drivers remain fit to drive and have no underlying medical conditions that could affect their capability to drive.
“Following this enhanced medical check process, a further medical check for all passenger carrying vehicle and large goods vehicle drivers in the form of a twoyearly eyesight examination has been introduced.”
The local authority is investing in upgrading and renewing its fleet as part of fresh safety measures, including: ● Medical reports signed off by doctors ● Reference checks for all new drivers ● Extra scrutiny on absence and sick leave ● Annual health exams ● New lorry braking systems ● Driver training ● Safer collection routes
A Fatal Accident Inquiry held in the wake of the horror recommended tightening of human resources and fleet regulations for councils.
Sheriff John Beckett led the hearing set up to probe the cause of the incident in Glasgow on December 22, 2014.
Bin lorry driver Harry Clarke passed out behind the wheel and the truck ploughed into pedestrians on Queen Street and George Square.
The probe found there were “reasonable precautions” that could have been taken to avoid the crash.
Sheriff Beckett was critical of Clarke – stating lives could have been saved if he had not lied about his medical history.
The binman had a history of poor health but had failed to disclose issues to his employers.
The FAI made a slew of recommendations to improve safety for staff and the public. Local authority bosses are unveiling the steps taken at a summit today.
The report added: “The council has accelerated the vehicle replacement programme for refuse collection vehicles.
“This will ensure that a higher proportion of refuse collection vehicles are replaced with advanced emergency braking system and lane departure detection technology.
“There are 23 large goods vehicle refuse collection lorries on the council’s fleet.
“Six are now fitted with the enhanced safety measures with a further six being replaced in April.
“This leaves 11 vehicles which are due to be replaced over the coming financial years.
“Discussions are ongoing with vehicle manufacturers and the Freight Transport Association to seek updates on the progress of technological advances raised by the enquiry for inclusion in future vehicle purchases.”
Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, was killed in the smash and her family was awarded a reported £800,000 compensation payout.
Jacqueline Morton, 51, Stephenie Tait, 29, both from Glasgow, and Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and wife Lorraine, 69, from Dumbarton, also died.