Page 17 - AVRO News Issue 3 May

The following is an open letter

addressed to AVRO President

“ established set of standards – are more interested in price, for re-delivery on the follow-

Eilis Kelly and AVRO National
rather than standards, and
ing Tuesday fault reported
PAS 43 which can be updated
Council regarding ERRI and
the ERRI Board of Directors.
we need in this economy is an- such as, haulage licences,
dealer. As it was a Bank Holi-
Derek Beahan has given us as necessary. The last thing could not care less about rules overheating: take to the main
day the vehicle was taken to a
other group looking to put their waste licences, insurance,
permission to print his letter hand in the Recovery Industry’s driver’s hours, working time holding yard and on Tuesday
which reads as follows: pocket by making up a different directive, VAT etc. It’s the morning customer called to
set of standards, with all profits bottom line price that matters holding yard to collect vehicle,
Reference: ERRI and the ERRI going to this group. to them. and when challenged stated
Board of Directors it was cheaper than paying
With regards to the present With no increase to the Recov- The Clubs and Insurance the parking in the City Centre
board I would like to put a “Vote ery Operators from the Clubs Companies are the ones that car park because the parking
of No Confidence” in ERRI. and Insurance Company’s we have promised the general was free in the holding yard.
deal with, our industry is stran- public free recovery and free When this was brought to the
I think the group should be gled with unprofitable work, breakdown services with scant Insurance Company attention
disbanded as it has lost its fo- leaving us unable to reinvest regard for our Standards, train- they wanted to know what the
cus. It was set up to bring the in equipment or staff. The last ing and values. When a major problem was as they had paid
Recovery Associations together thing needed at present is an- Motoring Club representative for the recovery. Not their
for the better of the Recovery other group bringing in another made a statement “he couldn’t problem how the insurance
Industry. But I feel it does not set of rules for this industry at care less if we went out with a and rates on the premises are
appear to have achieved one another cost. wheelbarrow as long as the job paid.
thing since the start up! got done” not their problem!
With the same Company’s It is now cheaper to hire a
The Government does not doing their best to run a pro- An incident that happened recovery truck than it is to hire
want to implement any more fessional set up and competing recently on a Bank Holi- a taxi!
legislation. With that in mind I against the companies that day weekend an Insurance
believe it is better for the indus- have absolutely no standards Company asked to have a car Derek Beahan
try to police itself. We have an whatsoever. Our customers picked up on a Friday evening “
PAS 43 Why consider anything

else?

The BSI public consultation period do so in the future. It is updated to investigate and implement any
for PAS 43:2018 ended on 17th May approximately every 2 years by the sensible suggestions for improvement
with a SURVIVE Working Group 2 SURVIVE Group, following input from from Recovery Operators or indeed
meeting being scheduled for 31st May the vehicle recovery industry and other anyone connected to the Recovery
to discuss any feedback received and interested parties, with AVRO sitting Industry.
progress the publication of the updated on the SURVIVE Working Group 2
version of PAS 43. committee as well as the SURVIVE The SURVIVE Group also publish the
Executive. SURVIVE Best Practice Guidelines,
PAS 43 was introduced in 2002 which is available as a free download
following the formation 3 years PAS 43 is published by the British from the SURVIVE website. These
earlier of a governing body known as Standards Institute (BSI) and is guidelines when used in conjunction
SURVIVE (www.survivegroup.org) overseen by the United Kingdom with PAS 43, help to improve the
in order to help improve operational Accreditation Service (UKAS). safety of all those involved in vehicle
standards within the recovery industry, breakdown and recovery services at
improve safety standards, monitor It is a recognised accreditation that is the roadside.
performance and make any necessary accepted by Work Providers, Motoring
changes to operational procedures Clubs, Insurance Companies, and AVRO fully supports the continuation
required by changes in legislation.. Police Contracts. In fact, its credibility of PAS 43 as the Safety Accreditation
The SURVIVE GROUP is a completely is such that many Work Providers for the future.
independent body with backing from all require PAS 43 as a minimum
sectors involved in Vehicle Recovery standard when selecting vehicle A recent survey carried out by
and the British Standards Institute. recovery supply partners. FoVRA (which consists of AVRO,
RRRA, SVRA) revealed that a large
PAS 43 is the Industry’s only respected PAS 43 accreditation is totally percentage of members were more
Accreditation, which has served the democratic, and the contents are than satisfied to remain with PAS 43
Vehicle Recovery sector well since always fair and balanced and the as the breakdown / recovery standard
its introduction and will continue to SURVIVE Group are ready and willing within the industry.

AVRO NEWS 17