Are you ready for FORS?
The FORS Standard defines the requirements that fleet operators must meet in order to attain and maintain FORS accreditation. Organisations with audit dates on and after the 14th of January 2019 will be audited against Version 5 and must therefore prepare their Bronze, Silver or Gold audit(s) against the revised requirements.
The FORS Standard version 5 can be downloaded on the Fors Website.
Summary
There has been an increase in V5 to include more technology changes, both at the Bronze and Silver level.
Bronze
Bronze is the entry level of FORS safety compliance. Camera and safety technology doesn’t feature directly in the bronze level but the main changes to Bronze at Version 5 are as follows :
- A requirement is that operators need to have all information about their fleet – this includes registration details, location of vehicles, total number of vehicles & trailers, and if owned, leased, rented or loaned
- Operators must have a procedure for tracking complaints against the company and drivers
Requirement to record traffic infringements (moving, fixed penalty, driver hours…)
- Company must have a procedure to ensure roadworthiness and serviceability (including 15 months history and 6 months forward planner).
- Companies must implement daily walkaround checks at least once daily per vehicle
- To fit larger vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) with safety signage to protect vulnerable road users
- Must have a policy and procedure for maintaining and monitoring tyre roadworthiness – includes tyre selection, condition and monitoring tyre pressures and tread depth – must be checked by a trained tyre fitter
- Driver’s license checks must be completed within every 6 months – expiry date, categories, points and restrictions must be checked
- Driver Induction program must be in place, including a checklist
Silver
FORS Silver Standard is when safety technologies such as cameras, DVRs, warning sensors become necessary
The changes in Version 5 included :
For all vehicles:
- Companies must show evidence of managing road risk
- Vehicle Safety Equipment must be fitted
- Left Turn alert (preferably fitted with a manual switch to mute during night time use and supplemented with visual warning)
- Reversing audible alert (white noise or spoken message)
- Side-scan system on near side
- Cameras should be at least 120 degrees (preferably 130) and at least IP67 (preferably IP69K) and infrared to at least 8M
- Near side camera to be fitted to cover the blind spot
- Monitor to show blindspot areas (with at least 2 inputs for switching view) of at least 7” but preferably 9”
- Noise pollution monitoring for driver and worker hearing protection
For 7.5 Tonnes and above:
- Rear camera must be fitted
- Front and off-side cameras be fitted – recommended but not mandatory
- Recording equipment (MDVRs) be fitted for training and development – recommended but not mandatory
If any of the requirements above have left you wondering if you are ready for FORs, we are happy to have a chat with you to help you assess if you are fully compliant and enable you to fill any gaps you are now aware of.
Centrad are the UK’s leading supplier of Vehicle CCTV and telematics and are known for being ‘Big enough to deliver, and small enough to care’.
We will make sure that you have all your questions answered about FORS and everything you need equipment-wise to tick it off your list and rest assured that you meet the requirements.
