The Batched on Site Association today announced the launch of its first ever Industry Charter, including a Declaration of Adherence to be signed by all members.
The Batched on Site Association (BSA) is the self-regulating body representing the UK’s Mobile Batching Plant operators, colloquially known as ‘volumetrics’. These vehicles provide a critical service to the UK Construction Sector, delivering on-site materials quickly, and flexibly, often to sites with limited access where other vehicles cannot get in.
With 700+ volumetric trucks now in operation throughout the UK, the sector represents about 200 UK businesses and contributes approximately £170m to the UK economy.
Transport Select Committee
Due to the specialist nature of Mobile Batching Plants, these vehicles operate outside a small number of regulations which apply to HGVs. With the intention to pro-actively increase road safety, the BSA has implemented a number of new obligations on its members. Earlier this year, the Association appeared before Parliament’s Transport Select Committee to discuss its contribution to improving the standards of cycling safety on Britain’s roads.
The new Charter
The new Charter, which was originally handed out to BSA Members in May, represents an evolution of the Association’s original Code of Practice, which has been maintained and updated since the BSA’s formation in 2007.
The Charter clearly sets out the legal status of volumetrics and provides good practice guidance in a number of areas including vehicle maintenance, safe loading, and driver training. It also provides specific guidelines on the introduction of under-run bars to increase cycle safety.
The Declaration, which all BSA Members must abide by, confirms that members will, amongst other requirements:
• Undertake regular maintenance safety inspections
• Daily pre-use inspections
• Will not operate vehicles over design weight
• Operatives will be HGV qualified and receive annual refresher training.
Chairman’s Comments
Chris Smith, Managing Director of Mixamate and Chairman of the Batched on Site Association, recently met with Andy Love, Labour Co-op Member of Parliament for Edmonton, to discuss sensible regulation and safety in the building and logistics industries:
“The Mobile Batching Plant sector has come together to promote high standards of operation and safety in our area of the industry,” said Smith. “Our new Industry Charter lays down a clear marker to those operating mobile batching plant vehicles, putting safety and accountability high on the agenda. We will continue working closely with our Members to evolve and improve safety standards within the industry, and the launch of our first official Charter marks a significant step in a move towards clearer guidelines.”
About the Batched on Site Association
The BSA was established in 2007 with the objective of representing the interests of operators of Mobile Batching Plants (MBP).
MBP machines come in a variety of specifications but their fundamental distinguishing characteristic is their ability to batch produce products such as screed, foam, ‘trench fill’, concrete, ‘cold tarmac’ and mortar on demand at the point of delivery. As the products are batched on site the customer receives exactly the amounts they require, meaning zero waste. Multi drop routes can be scheduled, reducing the miles travelled. These characteristics distinguish the MBP from drum-mixer heavy goods vehicles that haul pre-mixed product from the batching plants to points of delivery.
The Batched on Site Association is committed to promoting high industry standards and providing the latest information within the UK Mobile Batching Plant sector. For more information visit www.batchedonsite.org.
