Construction company Mace has written to its haulage subcontractors ordering them to sign up to Transport for London’s (TfL) Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (Fors) this month if they wish to continue working with it.
The decision is in response to the publication of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s blueprint for cycling in the capital and the death of a Mace employee in October 2011, who was killed following a collision with a construction vehicle while cycling to work.
In the letter, Mace chief executive Mark Reynolds stated that having reviewed TfL’s document the firm, which has put a number of cycle safety and awareness measures in place internally, will expect all subcontractors to be signed up to Fors bronze status by July; those that are not will be turned away from the site.
The firm also expects them to demonstrate that they have commenced cycle awareness training for their employees who cycle to work, and be working towards Fors silver status by 1 January 2014.
“Mace is determined to address this serious issue to minimise the risk to cyclists and improve the safety on our construction projects,” Reynolds’ letter concluded.
Mace’s major subcontractors were told of the new policy in May, but CM understands smaller operators only received notice recently.
Natalie Chapman, head of policy for London at the Freight Transport Association, which provides the auditing for Fors, said it made sense for operators involved in the construction industry in London to register with the free scheme.
“TfL is now pushing developers to take more responsibility for safety, not only on the construction site but on the roads leading to it, so the need to be a member may increasingly come as a contractual requirement,” she said.
One of Mace’s flagship projects is the cross-Thames cable car – the Emirates Airline (pictured).
