Hire firm admits management failings

An Airdrie operator that failed to act on traffic examiner reports highlighting unsatisfactory systems for monitoring drivers’ hours has had its licence curtailed by the traffic commissioner (TC).

AT Best Handlers, including director Richard Rose, appeared before TC Claire Gilmore at a Glasgow public inquiry (PI) following concerns the haulier had not made improvements ordered by the DVSA following site visits.

The company, which hires out telehandlers, excavators and compaction equipment held a licence authorising three HGVs and three trailers, accepted the evidence provided to the TC.

There had previously been an unsatisfactory traffic examiner report in 2019 and following a second visit to the premises in 2022, improvements were noted, but
the systems for downloading
and analysing drivers’ hours were still found to be unsatisfactory.

TC Gilmore said: “The operator and transport manager both accepted that the transport manager had not been exercising continuous and effective management.”

The existing transport manager Stuart Rose told the TC he realised it was time for him to retire and he did so with immediate effect.

Gilmore acknowledged that his retiral came after a long and previously unblemished career in transport and she allowed a period of grace for an application to appoint a replacement.

She said: “All witnesses, to their credit, were candid in accepting the failures which had occurred.

“The operator had two vehicles and one trailer in possession with no plans to operate more. I decided, therefore, that a permanent curtailment of the margin was a proportionate regulatory response.”