SOE: New CV guide cuts maintenance outsource risk

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Friday, 19, Sep 2008 12:00

Continuing its drive to uphold comprehensive and rigorous maintenance regimes, the IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) launched its latest guide, the Maintenance Supplier Assessment, at an event in Preston yesterday.

The guide is aimed at those who contract out maintenance of their fleet. It advises on best practice procedures to ensure the maintenance facilities of workshops used are adequate for the type and number of vehicles undergoing work.

Produced in conjunction with the North West Goods Vehicle Maintenance Liaison Committee (NWGVMC), the guide was formally released by North Western Traffic Commissioner, Beverly Bell, following remarks by IRTE Chairman Chris Grime.

IRTE forms part of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers), an organisation representing and developing engineers throughout their careers. NWGVMC is a group of truck fleet engineers with strong IRTE links.

This crucial launch was attended by over 120 delegates and again highlights IRTE’s commitment to the road transport industry. With over six decades of transport industry experience, IRTE is well placed to champion the needs of both the profession and its engineers.

So far, the form has been tested by members of the NWGVMC and was found to accurately reflect their perception of workshops.

On the need for the new guide, Chris Grime said: “Eight out of ten operators use contracted-out maintenance and there is the principle that although you can sub-contract maintenance you can never sub-contract your responsibility for maintenance as far as the operator’s licence is concerned. If you put these two facts together, you soon see the need to audit your maintenance providers’ facilities. Our assessment is a way of turning that theory into a practice.”

The guide is available to download at www.soe.org.uk and is available in print by contacting technical@soe.org.uk or calling 020 7630 1111.

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