FORS awarded for helping van drivers manage risk

FORS has scooped a coveted WhatVan? award for its work to help van drivers manage risk and guard against vehicles being using in an act of terrorism.

FORS won the ‘Risk Management’ category at the annual WhatVan? awards, held at a ceremony in London on December 11. Judges recognised FORS’s continued work to help light commercial vehicle operators and drivers manage risk.

Risk management is embedded across the FORS progressive model, with members required to ensure they have a counter terrorism policy in place from FORS Bronze, the first level of accreditation. FORS members can also access a free online Security and Counter Terrorism Toolkit, designed to ensure security and risk management procedures are fully embedded in each business.

Managing potential terrorist threats became compulsory for all members at FORS Bronze in 2018 to recognise the increased national threat from terrorism. The requirement aims to raise awareness of security for all members, to improve vigilance and to minimise the risks posed by potential security and terrorist threats,  ensuring staff are prepared to deal with extremist and terrorist activity.

The WhatVan? Award win is the second national accolade this year acknowledging FORS’s work to help minimise risk.  FORS also scooped the Counter Terrorism Education Project Award at the Counter Terrorism Awards 2019 for its Security and Counter Terrorism eLearning module.

The 20-minute online module is free to access for FORS members and was commissioned by Transport for London (TfL) in 2017 since which time it has been completed by more than 115,000 individuals from across 5,000 FORS operators.

It was developed at part of the FORS Professional training portfolio in response to the rise of commercial vehicles used in terrorist-related incidents, a theme especially pertinent in the light commercial vehicle sector.

FORS manager Sonia Hayward, said: “FORS members are required to manage risk not only through the FORS Security and Counter Terrorism training, but also through a regularly updated counter terrorism policy. This policy must be reviewed and updated at least every 12 months, and more frequently as needed, for example, in reaction to an increase in the UK’s threat level.

“FORS produced an online toolkit to help members write an effective counter terrorism policy. The toolkit, which is free to access for FORS members, provides them with all the elements they need to put together a policy and supporting procedures, and what they need to do with these.

“The UK’s light commercial vehicle sector has grown by 59 per cent since 2000 and I am pleased that FORS provides a platform for this less regulated industry to manage its risk and operate to best practice standards. We are delighted to accept this WhatVan? Award as testament to this continued work.”