Nigel Grainger brings together a related set of skills that all fleets require, to greater or lesser
degrees, but which may not have the staffing or the skills to fulfil those needs.
Bringing his wealth of experience in all areas of fleet management he offers a bespoke service through his company Fleet Risk Consultants, providing you with a cost effective fleet that complies fully with your 'duty of care' requirements.Risk Management – Getting damaged vehicles repaired
The Risk Management steps the manufacturers have taken is in line with the standards set by EuroNCAP for front and side impacts, this has involved them using some more complex materials including boron steels and complex polycarbonates. The challenge that has developed from this new materials is that some of the vehicle repairers may not have the equipment to repair the vehicle to return it to the same standard it left the factory in.
This is important because you NEED the vehicle to perform in the manner it was designed if you have a subsequent collision. The old solution of welding in a new panel or beating the damage out may not allow the vehicle to react in a way that will protect you. If you have provided the vehicle to an employee and it has not been repaired correctly any subsequent injuries may leave you liable to legal action and/or prosecution.
To resolve this problem there is now an officially approved standard for repairs and bodyshops are now working to achieve that standard. If you want to know whether a repairer is approved you need to take a trip to the Thatcham website and check.
If your vehicle is not being repaired at one of these repairers then the repair may not be to the standard required to perform correctly in a collision.
Nigel Grainger
Senior Consultant