New bin lorry safety rules in wake of horror
Employees to be taught how to stop vehicles after Glasgow tragedy
RENFREWSHIRE Council has vowed to improve safety measures on bin lorries following the outcome of a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the Glasgow tragedy.
The neighbouring local authority has announced a “package of measures” including changing the way drivers are recruited, management of risk on collection routes and altering collection times in busy Paisley town centre.
A report tabled at Renfrewshire Council’s leadership board yesterday laid out the moves, which also include monitoring advances in vehicle safety technology. The council says this is the latest stage in the council’s action plan to “coordinate its response to the FAI’s recommendations”.
Sheriff John Beckett published a determination following the lengthy FAI into the Queen Street tragedy in which six people died and 17 were injured when driver Harry Clarke lost consciousness behind the wheel.
He made 19 recommendations and urged Glasgow City Council to make a number of changes, including an “internal review of employment processes”.
The council was told to train all waste collection employees on the steering and braking functions of a bin lorry after the inquiry heard that the two passengers in the runaway lorry had limited knowledge of how to stop it.
Glasgow City Council was also asked to look again at bin lorry routes through the city in a bid to minimise the risk to pedestrians. Local authorities across Scotland were also urged, by the Sheriff, to purchase bin lorries that have the advanced emergency braking system.
Renfrewshire Council said it already takes up references for new drivers but additional questions on an applicant’s fitness to drive would be added to a questionnaire.
And further health checks would be made with the applicant’s GP. They will also carry out annual medical inspec- tions to ensure heavy vehicle drivers remain fit to carry out their duties.
And Renfrewshire Council bosses are planning to introduce specific refuse collection time slots in Paisley town centre to avoid more crowded times.
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “We have studied the FAI’s findings in detail and brought forward an approach which focuses on the main issues and recommendations.”