Kaba Door Systems at the forefront of UK corporate road safety

A multi-faceted action plan to cut the number of road crashes involving employees has resulted in Kaba Door Systems slashing its incident rate by 20% and, as a result, becoming a ‘business champion’ under the Government’s ‘Driving for Better Business programme’.

Telford-based Kaba Door Systems is a world leader in the supply, installation and service of automatic sliding, swinging, revolving and circular sliding doors together with industrial and commercial shutter and grilles, fire shutters and curtains and moveable partitions.

Employing more than 400 staff, the company operates a 175-strong fleet of which more than half are vans up to 3.5 tonnes and it also includes almost 80 company cars.

The ‘Driving for Better Business’ programme is managed by RoadSafe on behalf of the Department for Transport, which is working with the police and a raft of other agencies to encourage companies and organisations nationwide to implement best practice occupational road risk management programmes.

Driving on business, for most employees, is the most dangerous task they undertake during their working life, according to official figures. Last year, Department figures reveal that 2,943 people were killed on Britain’s roads with almost 250,000 people injured.

The Government estimates that there are 200 road deaths and serious injuries a week resulting from crashes involving at work drivers

A key feature of the ‘Driving for Better Business’ programme is the highlighting of best practice fleets, which are then encouraged to fly the flag for at-work driving safety at seminars, conferences and shows both locally and nationally. In addition a number of companies have worked as ‘tutors’ to deliver the ‘safe driving’ message to other businesses in their areas.

The range of safety-focused initiatives introduced across the Kaba Door Systems’ fleet has included the company being one of the first in the country to specify that all new vehicles should be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) as standard.

The anti-skid technology is billed by road safety experts as the most significant life-saving advance since the seat belt with research on behalf of the Department for Transport suggesting that ESC-equipped vehicles were 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than those without the technology.

The measure was introduced more than 12 months ago and is expected to have significantly contributed to a further reduction in crashes involving company cars and vans when the firm’s 2007/8 incident statistics are published.

Crash statistics for 2006/7 reveal a 20% year-on-year reduction in incidents with the company saying that the introduction of an accident financial liability policy played a key role. That sees drivers paying 50% of the cost of any second at-fault crash with a third incident resulting in the driver footing the entire bill.

Fleet manager Ann Dukanovic said: “This measure has been used to encourage drivers to take more care when driving. I have also anonymously visited our nationwide network of depots to inspect vehicle records and these two measures have greatly contributed to the overall reduction in accident rates.”

Other safety measures introduced by Kaba Door Systems include:

Monthly vehicle checks sheets that must be completed by drivers and record vehicle condition along with all fluid top ups and last service dates thus ensuring any unreported accident damage can be spotted. Remedial action can then be taken to improve safety.

Driver logs are also completed to ensure the company knows who was driving a vehicle when and where so any issues can be quickly resolved.

Reversing sensors fitted as standard on all long wheel base commercials

All drivers having mobile phones with hands free car kits.

All vehicles carrying fire extinguishers and first aid kits

Mrs Dukanovic said: “We are delighted that the safety initiatives we have taken have resulted in a reduction in our accident record. However, we are always looking to further improve the safety of our staff and other road users.

“Being recognised as a ‘business champion’ by the Driving for Better Business’ programme is a tremendous accolade for the company. I hope the initiatives that we have introduced and the success we have had in improving our fleet safety will encourage other businesses to take action.”

‘Driving for Better Business’ programme manager Caroline Scurr said: “Kaba Door Systems is at the forefront of introducing new initiatives to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on Britain’s roads. Our ‘business champions’ have a crucial role to play in promoting occupational road risk management in their local areas and nationally.”