Archive for January, 2009

TNT make another loss of sensitive data

Posted by sarah in Courier Shop Admin on January 27, 2009

This time, it’s members of the British Council who have lost their details.
Back in the summer the company lost data from the Scottish Ambulance service.
Courier firm TNT has lost the sensitive data of 2,000 British Council employees on a computer disc, it has emerged.

The disc, which was lost in December, contained information including names, salaries, national insurance details and bank account numbers. It was an encrypted optical disc.

The disc was sent by “the usual secure TNT courier service”, a spokesperson at the British Council said, but it had not been received by the department’s human resources staff who were expecting it.

“TNT has informed us that they are still taking steps to find the disk,” the spokesperson said. “The data only included staff records and no information about external British Council contacts is involved.”

Source ; CIO

I don’t know if it’s the intention of the article but it implies to me, that the loss of staff data is secondary to the information that could have been about contracts rtc.

The types of data losses are very frustrating, companies are trying to cut costs all the time and transport is one area. It must be cheaper to pay secure, dedicated courier than it is to pay PR people to bury the news…

In the means time, along with the ambulance service, the prison service, and the child benefit agency, someone has a nice pile of data on people in the Uk.

Sarah

Related articles
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

No Comments

Hard shoulder running – what do you think?

Posted by sarah in Courier World, Driving on January 21, 2009

My dear wife is up in arms today on her blog, she is concerned about the hard shoulder running. She is concerned for the lives of all the drivers.

N11 south of Newtownmountkennedy
Image via Wikipedia

In theory it’s a good idea -  ease congestion by using the hard shoulder. It certainly saves money on widening the roads, but for a government so obsessed with Health and Safety, I cannot think why they would believe this is hard shouldera good idea! In all honesty a few months back, I thought it was a good idea, now I am not so sure.

Imagine this scenario, a 44 tonne lorry has broken down at 4.15pm. The recovery services are called and the driver is waiting to be recovered. Rush hour arrives and drivers without thinking pile into the hard shoulder, making it impossible for the lorry to be recovered quickly, causes more congestion and puts the drivers life at risk.Hauliers up in arms over hard shoulder use!

I can see her point of view regarding lorries carrying hazardous goods / chemicals. Yes, they could get rammed and spilled and cause a far bigger catastrophe to the environment than what widening a lane would.

Would congestion actually ease? Would the traffic actually flow better for using the hard shoulder?

Where I am based in Thurrock a section of the A13 has had Chevrons painted in. Most vehicles drive evenly spaced with one chevron between them. This shows when there is an accident – the vehicles slow and effortlessly move lanes, because there is now the space to do that. Yes the traffic slows but it doesn’t stop.

Could the Government and Mr Hoon look into doing and enforcing these ways rather than putting peoples lives at risk?

What do you think?

Kevin

Related articles
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

, , , , ,

1 Comment

Tips to keep your van safe and secure

Posted by sarah in Courier World on January 19, 2009

Van insurance should cover most driving related and legal eventualities and good cheap van insurance may also carry additional features such as recovery following an accident, full breakdown cover, home start, some European cover and a like for like vehicle in the event of an accident and the need for a repair. When it comes to protecting your van against theft then some basic security measures are required to validate most insurance policies and some additional measures that you can take will bring the cost of premiums down.

Some security features are easy and cheap to add to your van; some are more costly. Your considerations will depend in part on: the value of your van, whether you need to keep expensive tools or other equipment in it unattended at times, and whether the additional security features are a prerequisite of your van insurance policy or optional extras that will reduce your premium.

Some basic door security is obviously required but there are other more sophisticated mechanisms on the market that you could consider. Deadbolts can be fitted to the rear and side doors of your van and are tamper proof once installed. They can be operated either by a mechanical key or from a remote key fob. Slam locks automatically lock and secure a door when closed. These are especially useful for delivery drivers who have to leave their vehicle and its cargo unattended while making deliveries, leaving van and cargo vulnerable to theft. A slam lock would protect against this problem and allow you to quickly and safely go about your business. An armaplate lock cover is another extra that completely encases your van door lock and handle as well as adding a steel plate inside the door.

Interior van security is also important for safety as well as anti-theft reasons. Van boxes can be used for storage and secured to the van interior whilst being removable should you need to carry tools or other equipment with you. Van bulkheads are a steel or perspex screen that is fitted behind the driver and passenger seat which prevents thieves climbing over the seats, and protects driver and passenger from shifting loads during sudden braking. It is also possible to fit steel grilles on the back windows which prevent thieves entering that way but still retain visibility for the driver. Ignition locks should come as standard on most modern vehicles, whilst alarms and GPS immobilisers are other extras that you could consider.

Some other measures you can consider to bring down the cost of your insurance could include keeping your van in a garage or on a drive if available to you, taking an additional driving course, driving well and keeping a good driving record, keeping your no claims bonus by paying for any small accident-related repairs and having a higher voluntary excess on your van insurance policy. It also helps if you can pay for your van insurance all in one go, rather than the more expensive option of monthly direct debits.

If you can implement all or most of these ideas, then the chances are you won’t encounter any problems anyway. In addition, the effort required to act on these ideas will be repaid by making it much easier for you to obtain comprehensive cheap van insurance which will give you peace of mind and ensure you are covered if anything did happen.

Julia Niven

About the Author
Julia Niven – One Van Insurance search is part of a panel of the UK’s leading van insurers who will find you a great deal on your van insurance.
Whether you need van insurance for private or business use, our click and buy service means you can arrange your van insurance online in minutes!
We offer fully comprehensive cover, third party, fire & theft and third party only cover. Visit our site and see what cheap van insurance deals we offer.

Related articles
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

, , , ,

2 Comments

Car Accident Advice: Traps to …

Posted by sarah in Twitter on January 17, 2009

Car Accident Advice: Traps to avoid when hiring vehicles:

1 reviews http://tinyurl.com/9rvdg8

No Comments

Corporate Manslaughter Appeal Denied.

Posted by sarah in Fleet Information on January 17, 2009

Nearly 6 years ago Martin Graves was trading as M J Graves International in Felixstowe. That year he was prosecuted and found to be guilty of gross negligent manslaughter. He  was sentenced to four years imprisonment for the  gross negligent manslaughter part and to  a further 12 months concurrent imprisonment for offences realting to the  falsifying of tachograph records.

One of  M JGraves Internationals’ drivers – Victor Coates was also sentenced to four years in prison for manslaughter.

A haulier who was jailed for manslaughter after one of his drivers killed a motorist has lost his appeal against an indefinite disqualification. The Transport Tribunal concluded that his prison sentence was “richly deserved”. The Tribunal dismissed an appeal by Martin Graves against the decision of Eastern Deputy Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown refusing to vary or cancel an order for his indefinite disqualification from holding an O-licence in any Traffic Area.

Source:  road transport

Graves has a appealed against the revoking of his O licence (the indefinate disqualification part) and has asked that it is returned so that he can expand his freight forwarding business.

During the first trial it became a apparent that drivers he employed regularly broke hours and were offered bonuses for working longer hours. Now Graves is back in business, who is to say he wouldn’t do this again?

Perhaps Graves should consider a new area in which to trade, where breaking the rules doesn’t have such a high price. Has he thought about banking?

Sarah

Related articles
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

, , ,

No Comments

The Recession Bites Harder – No CV Show

Posted by sarah in Courier World on January 16, 2009

The two latest victims are JPM Eco Logistics and Birmingham NECs Commercial Vehicle  show.

JPM based in Oldham are famous for their funding via the Dragons Den, where they secured £100 from Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis. I can recall thinking at the time, just becuase they are green, it doesnt mean they will be ethical and they will make money. In fact their poor management  has put their biofuels supplier in a very tough position.

MPB BioProducts have filed for a winding up order if they are not paid.

The company received a winding-up petition shortly before Christmas from biofuel supplier MPB Bioproducts.

Although this has now been stayed until February, the Gainsborough-based fuel producer says it is owed more than £20,000 dating from last June.

MPB’s MD Philip Bates adds: “I have been chasing since then – they promised me the earth, but I have received nothing.”

Bates says the debt means he has been unable to produce any further biofuel from the plant. “They have totally messed my finances up,” he adds.

JPM’s business proposal was based around being an environmentally responsible haulier, using 100% biodiesel to power its trucks. On the Dragons’ Den show in 2007, bosses Jerry Mantalvanos and Paul Merker promised fantastic returns on investment, well above the industry average of 4%.

Source: Road Transport

I wish MPB well, and I hope they can get through this. I am not sure about JPM, I am not convinced throwing money at the problem will find a solution. Much of the thoughts in the industry around this are that if the business was sound, they wouldnt have struggled so much.

Many transport industry professionals enjoy the CV show and this is a real blow to the industry.

The carmaker crisis claimed another victim when organisers slammed the brakes on this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the National Exhibition Centre.

The annual three-day event, one of the biggest in Europe, was cancelled after truck and van manufacturers pulled out.

Organisers said this year’s show, due to run from April 28 to 30, was to have been revamped and scaled down because of the slump that has hit commercial vehicle manufacturers and components suppliers throughout the world.

Companies that paid for their stands will be reimbursed and plans are being made to reinstate the event next year.

Last year’s show, one of the most successful in the event’s ten-year history, attracted more than 28,000 visitors.
About 290 exhibitors had expressed support for this year’s event, which was to have refocused on engineering, compared with 600 normally.

Source: Birmingham Post

Obviously Truck manufacturers don’t have the money for these kinds of exhibitions, I wonder what they plan to so instead?

Sarah

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

, , , ,

No Comments

Corporate Manslaughter – what it means to a courier

Posted by admin in Fleet Information on January 8, 2009

There have been many discussions about the Corporate Manslaughter Legislation and the effect it will have on the way courier businesses operate.  Most of those discussions are based on a best guess scenario and assumptions.

I will not be making guesses at an eventual outcome, but I can give you guidance on the processes involved should a collision occur and then I will give you some guidance on what steps you can take to prevent your courier business falling foul of the Corporate Manslaughter Legislation.  The investigation is a defined process and will follow structured path of evidence gathering with witness and suspect interviews.  As a business you are in the suspect category from the outset.

Take the following example of a road collision.  It is a typical collision that happens on the roads in the UK on a daily basis.  Vehicle One is owned by the company concerned.

Circumstances of the crash:

  • Vehicle One: SUV – 6 months old – 32,000 miles – Never Been Serviced
  • Vehicle Two: Supermini – 3 years old – 36,00 miles – Full Service History
  • Time of Collision: 0840 hrs
  • Weather Conditions: Wet

Injuries:

  • Occupant Vehicle One: Driver: Male 47 yrs: Bruising, Minor Lacerations and Whiplash
  • Occupant Vehicle Two: Driver: Female 28 yrs: Declared Dead at the Scene
  • Occupant Vehicle Two: Passenger: Male 3 yrs: Severe Head Injuries

Vehicles:

  • Vehicle One: Found to Have Two Defective Tyres
  • Vehicle Two: No Defects Found

There is also some additional information that you need to consider.

  • The driver of the SUV was previously driving a 5 door executive car.
  • The drivers licence was checked upon joining the organisation 18 months previously.
  • The driver did not have the vehicle handed to him in a documented manner, nor were the driving characteristics of the SUV explained to him.
  • The vehicle is owned by the company.
  • Maintenance is organised by the individual drivers
  • The driver had 9 points on his licence for speeding.
  • The driver did send in mileage reports every month, detailing business and private miles

The next step in the process will be covered in the blog www.yourroadrisk.co.uk and will describe the way the Police and Health & Safety Executive will deal with your business.

If you are worried in the meantime, please get in contact with us.

Nigel Grainger

Senior Consultant

Fleet Risk Consultants

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

, , , ,

No Comments

A new look Courier Shop

Posted by admin in Courier Shop Admin on January 8, 2009

A big thank to Barbara Saul, the internet marketing strategist for working a miracle with the Courier Shop for us. Thank you doesn’t cover the work you did for us at short notice… I shall find another way too.

Image of Barbara Saul from Twitter
Image of Barbara Saul

Please bear with me a few days whilst I get the copy and the pages for our associates up and running. I aim to get the books back online this evening – the Complete Courier Guide (for freelance / self employed couriers) and the Sales Success for Couriers book – the brilliant book by leading sales trainer Linda Mattacks.

Thanks

Kevin

Related articles
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]
Related Posts with Thumbnails

, , , , , ,

No Comments