Guidance

London Power Tunnels (LPT2) audit standards: DVSA earned recognition

Updated 1 September 2023

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dvsa-earned-recognition-vehicle-operator-standards/london-power-tunnels-lpt2-audit-standards-dvsa-earned-recognition

Introduction

This document details the standards of the LPT2 module, the assessment and evidence required during an audit to attain additional module status.

It is a public document and allows both the operator and the auditor to identify the areas where standards are met and where shortcomings need to be addressed.

Each of the applicable standards must be attained in order to meet the overall criteria whereby the operator should be able to demonstrate full and effective control in all cases. It is not possible to be entirely prescriptive in all cases, as each operator must be considered individually.

It is the operator’s responsibility to demonstrate the systems they have in place satisfy the required standards.

Before completing an audit, reference must be made to section 3 of the earned recognition scheme guide and the audit sampling criteria defined below.

Important note

Contracts for some AM02 – LPT2 projects require additional audit requirements over and above the mandatory earned recognition standards. DVSA earned recognition can be used to gain acceptance to LPT2 contracts, but you must satisfy all the applicable standards in sections 1 to 9 of the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or public service vehicle (PSV) earned recognition standards, only then you may additionally choose to meet the standards in this optional module (AM02 - LPT2).

It is important to note that this is an optional module to DVSA earned recognition accreditation, so it is acceptable for operators to choose to apply these additional requirements to an individual operator licence, which is part of the earned recognition accreditation. This would include all the associated operating centres and specified vehicles on the selected licences applying for this module, rather than all the entities and licences in the earned recognition accreditation.

Operators can therefore decide to adopt this for individual licences in the accreditation or for the entire DVSA earned recognition application entity. The DVSA earned recognition accreditation and published list will clearly identify the status of the operator licences that have achieved the LPT2 module standards in addition to the DVSA earned recognition accreditation.

Operators who already have DVSA earned recognition accreditation may apply for this module and have a separate additional audit for the associated licences. To keep accreditation for this module, the following periodic DVSA earned recognition audit would need to include standards for this LPT2 module for the selected licences.

This module will need to be audited annually.

Vehicles specified on operator licences with this module would need to include additional check items for the periodical safety inspections, which will be included as part of the maintenance system key performance indicator (KPI) report.

We advise operators to discuss any notifiable alterations to their DVSA earned recognition accreditation with the DVSA earned recognition team, as it could be more cost effective to bring the periodic DVSA earned recognition audit forward to combine with an application for this module.

Operators will need to inform the authorised audit provider of their intention to contract for LPT2 and to ensure the appropriate audit sections are completed. Failure to do so may result in the operator being excluded from LPT2 contracts.

Once the audit has been successfully completed, the DVSA earned recognition scheme manager will notify the applicant of the accreditation status of each licence in the application. The operator’s DVSA earned recognition LPT2 accreditation status will be published on GOV.UK and identifiable with a vehicle registration mark via the DVSA online search application.

CS.1 Additional vehicle safety equipment requirements

Requirements

Operators shall ensure vehicles are fitted with the following safety equipment to help protect and warn vulnerable road users.

When carrying out safety inspections, operators must check that these requirements are met and include the result of the checks in maintenance KPI reports.

  • CS.1.1 - Vulnerable road user warning signage, hi-vis marking to the rear of the vehicle and a flashing beacon
  • CS.1.2 - Side under-run protection of both sides of the vehicle
  • CS.1.3 - An audible left turn alert
  • CS.1.4 - Blind spot elimination to the front, side and rear of the vehicle

Assessment criteria

Criteria Description
CS.1.1 Warning stickers and markings must be of an approved design for the appropriate scheme or as specified by the contractor. Warning stickers and markings must be properly attached to at least the back and side of the vehicle, clearly visible, maintained in a clean condition and replaced when required. The flashing beacon must be visible and in working condition.
CS.1.2 Side under-run protection unless exempted by the appropriate scheme undertaking. The default should be that sites are designed and operated of being used by N3 vehicles. It is expected that such vehicles will be N3 compliant, except where site conditions are demonstrated to be impracticable and agreed on a case-by-case basis by the contractor.
CS.1.3 An audible left turn alert shall be fitted to the vehicle to warn vulnerable road users of the driver’s intention to turn.
CS.1.4 Blind spot elimination shall include appropriate class V and VI mirrors, viewable camera system including rear camera for rigid vehicles and a close proximity sensor system with an in cab audible alarm.

There should be written evidence from the scheme undertaker where vehicles are exempt from side underrun protection which is additional to Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 requirements.

The operator should take all practical steps to either eliminate or minimise blind spots around the vehicle using indirect vision aids and driver audible alerts. The operator should have systems in place to ensure all equipment fitted is maintained in working condition at all times, as far as reasonably practicable.

Stick on Fresnel lenses are not considered as suitable alternative.

Principal Contractors shall set out in relevant plans the extent that vehicles over 7.5t also regularly accessing LPT2 sites will be fitted with cameras with digital recording equipment and how the contractor and its supply chain will adopt better vehicle design or technology as a part of its normal fleet renewal strategy.

CS.2 Site rules

Requirements

The operator should have policies and procedures in place to ensure adherence with any specific site rules implemented by any nominated undertaker.

This may include additional equipment fitted to vehicles, access routes, access times and specific driver training.

Assessment criteria

Criteria Description
CS.2.1 Documented procedural evidence of management of an effective process.
  • there should be written policies including use of beacons, hazard warning lights, number of passengers carried
  • LPT2 awarded contracts should be inspected to see the full requirements
  • any additional items should be added to walkaround check to ensure additional equipment is in working order
  • maintenance procedures should ensure any additional equipment is included in the safety inspections

CS.3 Additional driver training requirements

Requirements

The operator must ensure that drivers have additional training exceeding the requirements in section 8 of the HGV standard or section 8 of the PSV standard where it is a requirement of the LPT2 contract.

Part of this requirement may be included in the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence training.

Assessment criteria

Criteria Description
CS.3.1 Work-related road risk driver training such as Safe Urban Driving or equivalent.
  • check for evidence of training records to ensure evidence of driver training being completed
  • check the syllabus to ensure the training meets the requirements of the LPT2 contract and is delivered by an approved body
  • the operator should evidence a forward planning system to ensure drivers are retrained when required

CS.4 Vehicle emissions and clean air

Requirements

In addition to the requirements in section 3.12 of the HGV standards or section 3.12 of the PSV standards, where required operators must adhere to the most current clean air rules specified by the LPT2 contract. Operators should have a policy of replacing the vehicles that do not meet the lowest emission level, Euro 6.

Assessment criteria

Criteria Description
CS.4.1 A robust and detailed policy to ensure vehicles meet the latest specification to reduce harmful emissions this includes where possible the use of alternative fuels.
CS.4.2 Robust procedures must be in place to ensure that only compliant vehicles are used in areas where specified by LPT2 contracts.
CS.4.3 Robust maintenance and monitoring systems must be in place to ensure the correct operation of any equipment fitted to vehicles to reduce emissions is in working order at all times.
  • check vehicle telematics reports to ensure systems are working
  • check contracts to check adherence
  • check the understanding of low emission zones and how they affect the operation
  • check periodic safety inspections are checking emissions control systems presence and correct operation

CS.5 Health and safety

Requirements

The operator must have policies and procedures in place to reduce the risk of work-related accidents, injuries and cases of ill health and promote health and safety best practice throughout the workplace.

Assessment criteria

Criteria Description
CS.5.1 A robust and detailed policy.
CS.5.2 Written procedures showing clear lines of responsibility and communication.
CS.5.3 Clearly defined risk assessments for all procedures.
CS.5.4 Evidence of training and awareness for all employees.
CS.5.5 Robust reporting procedures.
CS.5.6 Proactive assessment of risks to reduce accidents, injuries and ill health.
  • evidence should be obtained to show risk assessments have been distributed throughout the whole operation and have been understood
  • all risk assessments should be living documents and evidence of annual review
  • where required evidence of training to mitigate risks and reduce incidents

CS.6 Complaints

Requirements

The operator must demonstrate a process that deals effectively with all reported complaints providing documentary evidence to show each has been robustly investigated within a 10-day period and appropriate action taken to prevent a recurrence.

Assessment criteria

Criteria Description
CS.6.1 Documented procedures in relation to reported complaints.
CS.6.2 Complaints record kept showing actions taken.
  • robust policy document
  • evidence of compliance with investigation period
  • evidence of recurrence of complaints

CS.7 Routing

Requirements

The operator must route vehicles in the most efficient way considering weight restrictions, low bridges and the environmental impact. Where possible routes should be planned that minimise the distance travelled, and fuel used.

Where specific routes are required for contracts, procedures must be in place to ensure those routes are adhered to.

Assessment criteria

Criteria Description
CS.7.1 Evidence of policies to minimise the environmental impact.
CS.7.2 Documented evidence of fuel usage analysis and evidence of ongoing commitment to fuel savings.
CS.7.3 Evidence of avoidance (where possible) of known congestion hotspots.
CS.7.4 Evidence of fines or penalties relating to violation of any restrictions, for example London Lorry Control Scheme, weight restrictions.
CS.7.5 Evidence of correct routing procedures including awareness training for schedulers.
  • the operator should always use the most efficient route to reach a destination, where satnav is used it should be a specialist system showing low bridges and weight restrictions
  • certain projects may require lorry routes (such as for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes) to be approved by a relevant planning authority and the contractor should demonstrate how deviation will be managed
  • check for complaints to see if they are justified, could the operator use a different route to avoid the issues
  • check evidence to ensure the policy is being adhered to

CS.8 Incidents on the road

Requirements

The operators must record and investigate any incidents including road traffic collisions and near misses. Procedures must be in place to determine the reasons and prevent reoccurrence.

Operators should complete the report a collision or incident if you’re a DVSA earned recognition operator form where required.

Assessment criteria

Criteria Description
CS.8.1 A robust and clear policy including grading of collisions.
CS.8.2 Evidence of fully detailed investigations.
CS.8.3 Evidence of support and or additional training drivers involved.
CS.8.4 Evidence lessons learnt are disseminated to appropriate staff.
CS.8.5 Evidence of incidents being reported to DVSA using the report a collision or incident if you’re a DVSA earned recognition operator form.
  • evidence of detailed investigation of vehicles and drivers involved in incidents
  • look for reoccurrence of similar incidents in similar locations
  • check incidents against the requirements for completing the report a collision or incident if you’re a DVSA earned recognition operator form
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