A safer approach to cyclists

CYCLE SAFETY OUR CORPORATE COMMITMENTS CONTEXT Cycling is on the increase and the Get Britain Cycling ethos is supported at the highest levels evidenced by the formation of an All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group (APPCG). In 2013, the APPGC released a report that outlined a plan to ensure that cycling accounts for ten per cent of all journeys in the UK by 2025. If we are to protect the growing number of cyclists and realise the Government s vision, now is the time to ensure that even greater protection is given to the cyclists on our roads. A Transport for London (TfL) report indicated that of 16 fatal accidents involving cyclists in the city in 2011, nine were caused by HGVs, seven of which were delivering to construction sites. This is completely unacceptable. Construction logistics safety standards across the entire UK industry must improve urgently. This will require a collective response materials providers, contractors and clients we must all adapt. We believe that the real challenge and most immediate opportunity to improve the safety of cyclists lies in adapting existing fleets with cycle-safe technology and improving driver training.

THE STEPS WE ARE TAKING As the first company to secure nationwide accreditation, Lafarge Tarmac has demonstrated a leading approach to embedding a consistent approach to safety and environmental standards across its fleet. It is also providing its independent contract hauliers with the necessary technical support and training to make both adaptations to vehicles and behavioural changes. Ian Wainwright, Head of Freight and Fleet at Transport for London. Lafarge Tarmac has the largest fleet in the industry. As a responsible fleet operator, we are committed to change. We believe that action is required to secure the industry s ongoing corporate license to operate and most importantly, to keep everyone safe that uses our road network. We have made the following commitments: 1. FITTING OUR FLEET WITH CYCLE-SAFE TECHNOLOGY Since 2012 all new vehicles in our HGV fleet have been fitted with cycle-safe technology, including:: Side under run bars on all vehicles Side sensors to help eliminate blind spot issues, complete with audible warnings for cyclists Warning signage both on the rear and on the side under run bars By the end of 2015, all vehicles less than eight years old, including tippers and mixers, will have been retrofitted with cycle-safe technology. 2. CHANGING BEHAVIOURS THROUGH DRIVER TRAINING Progressive training is vitally important to changing driver behaviours. The majority of our drivers in London have completed a Vulnerable Road User (VRU) training course to help them understand the road from a cyclist s perspective. By the end of 2014 all of our drivers in key conurbations will have completed the VRU course. 3. IMPROVING STANDARDS ACROSS OUR SUPPLY CHAIN Lafarge Tarmac is not only the largest fleet operator in our industry but also the first in the UK to be approved to undertake fleet audits as part of TfL s Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS). We are proactively driving forward a nationwide commitment to improve safety and environmental standards, through auditing our fleet of HGVs and those of our contract haulier supply chain. Our transport supervisors are trained to complete audits to the FORS standard. We are committed to ensuring that all of our contract hauliers are trained to a minimum of FORS Bronze standard by early 2015. 4. HELPING CUSTOMERS TO MANAGE RISKS We provide customers with an understanding of the steps needed to ensure that their supply chain conforms to the cycle safety agenda. Through earlier engagement on projects we are influencing how construction logistics is improving fleet safety and ensuring safer driver behaviour. 5. CHAMPIONING A NATIONAL FLEET STANDARD Working with TfL and industry partners we developed the Construction Logistics and Cyclist Safety Standard (CLOCS), a new HGV fleet standard for London. With 11 individual standards currently in existence across the UK, we need the construction industry to unite behind CLOCS. We must adopt a consistent national standard to make it possible to deliver the critical safety improvements needed. We are proactively engaging with our customers, partners and supply chain to adopt this single standard.

6. ENGAGING THE CYCLING COMMUNITY Discussion about cycle safety is all too often polarised between cyclists and other road users. We believe that reducing accidents on our roads will only be achieved by greater engagement and dialogue between the construction industry and vulnerable road user groups. Lafarge Tarmac is working with these groups, listening to their concerns and using their experiences to improve industry safety standards. Together with cycling groups and partners including the Police, the Mineral Products Association and TfL, we regularly participate in a series of Exchanging Places events to provide cyclists with an opportunity to understand a driver s visibility from the cab of an HGV. For further information on Lafarge Tarmac s approach and commitment to the issue of cycle safety please contact our Senior National Transport Manager, Sean McGrae, sean.mcgrae@lafargetarmac.com