The British Concrete Transport Association (BCTA) recently held the first Safety in Every Turn talk on mixer maintenance for Breedon at Raisby Quarry in County Durham, northeast England, with support from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s Enforcement Policy team.
The CPD event, attended by members of Breedon’s national transport and workshop teams, provided some unique insight into the continued problems that arise from ineffective maintenance systems and critical safety inspections required by the mixer manufacturers.
BCTA Transport and Compliance Advisor Lisa Fleming and Health and Safety Advisor Jonny Barker assisted BCTA Special Advisor Mark Cowan and allowed attendees to direct questions to the DVSA, adding value to the CPD event.
Cowan said: “The event was a resounding success, and the BCTA is hugely thankful to Andy and his Enforcement Policy team for supporting it and providing some essential information that our industry has never had before. It’s clear from the feedback on the day and afterwards that speaking with the DVSA Enforcement Policy team to understand the responsibilities and expectations of running and maintaining a specialist fleet greatly benefited everyone.
“One of the first things we wanted to do at the BCTA was introduce events like this dedicated to the concrete supply chain. We wanted to provide the members and the broader industry the chance to attend an event dedicated to their work industry, something our sector has never had before.”
Breedon Area Logistics Manager Tom Colley, who organised the event through his membership and role as part of the BCTA leadership committee, said: “It was an insightful and thought-provoking day that highlighted the importance of mixer maintenance. The bonus of the DVSA in attendance added further credibility, and the advice was invaluable for everyone. With so much legislation, guidance, and standards to consider when running a specialist fleet, this refreshing approach brings reassurance that we are all working towards the common goal of raising industry standards and staying compliant.
The Safety in Every Turn talks continue with the DVSA later this month and early April. They are held in conjunction with mixer manufacturers. On Tuesday, March 25th, Sterling Mixers will host in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, followed by McPhee Mixers on Wednesday, April 9th, in Motherwell.
Cowan added: “The BCTA is incredibly thankful to Sterling Mixers, McPhee Mixers and TVS Interfleet for agreeing to support the subsequent events before we head down south later in the year. Support from manufacturers will play a crucial role through education on maintaining their equipment, reinforced through information provided by the DVSA.
“It’s easy to forget that while the BCTA is still in its infancy, the work done by the whole team demonstrates just how important it is to help the industry navigate the changes on the horizon.
“We continue to work on many fronts, and it’s challenging. However, with such a committed team, industry experts, and strategic partners, a dedicated organisation that focuses on transport across the concrete supply chain is needed. There’s so much more to come but being recognised by the regulators as the go-to industry association for transport is just recognition of the effort put in by everyone. We look forward to announcing additional dates and manufacturers and to further news that will firmly place the BCTA on the industry map.”
To book your space at Sterling Mixers on March 25th 2025, or McPhee Mixers on April 9th, email info@britishconcrete.org or m.cowan@britishconcrete.org for details. You can also visit the website to find out more about the BCTA at https://britishconcrete.org/
