PAS 43:2010 Safe working of vehicle breakdown, recovery and removal operations Management system specification - NOW AVAILABLE

In its ongoing drive to improve safety for motorists and roadside operatives, SURVIVE - the partnership between the Highways Agency, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the breakdown and recovery industry and other road service providers - has further developed the standard PAS 43 Safe working of vehicle breakdown, recovery and removal operations – Management system specification from BSI.

It is important that operators take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their employees. By adhering to the latest version of the Publicly Available Specification (PAS), operators can ensure they are compliant and consistent in the way that they work. However, concerns have been expressed that previous editions of PAS 43 have been insufficiently prescriptive on how Certification and Inspection bodies should audit to the standard and the new edition therefore addresses this.

PAS 43:2010 defines minimum levels of competence for those auditing on behalf of Certification or Inspection Bodies and also instructs operators to allow certification and inspection bodies to carry out unannounced visits to their premises in order to review recovery operations. And to improve the visibility of those operators in possession of a valid PAS 43 certificate, inspection and certification bodies will now publish and maintain details of companies currently holding a valid PAS 43 certificate.

PAS 43:2010 includes additions that will help improve vehicle operation and its impact on the environment. Guidance around switching off vehicles when not required, driving more smoothly and within speed limits, the appropriate changing of gears and reducing stopping and starting are referenced to help improve fuel usage and also to cut emissions.

The safety of those working on the roadside is constantly being reviewed and PAS 43:2010 looks at the ability of the technician to exit and enter a vehicle via the front passenger door. There are also additional guidelines around the use of Vehicle Lifting Equipment, particularly the operation of winches when using remote control units. This technology uses radio frequency which is open to interference by other vehicles in close proximity which has the potential to impact on the safe operation of the winch.

PAS 43:2010 gives Technicians the responsibility for reporting to their management any deficiencies with tools and equipment they are using. This should ensure any defects with equipment or their vehicle are promptly recorded and rectified, and records maintained as to what action has been taken.

Guidelines have also been put in place concerning the checking of a Technician’s professional competence to ensure driving licences are checked and reviews undertaken of any elements which relate to the Driver’s Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) which needs to be correct for the vehicle driven.

PAS 43:2010 also provides information around the carrying of children, and the movement of pets, domestic animals or livestock in recovery vehicles, as they all have their own particular requirements that must be met to ensure their safety and that of the operator.

Allan Mowatt, Chairman of the SURVIVE Executive said, “SURVIVE continues to make important inroads into improving the safety of those working at the roadside and the motoring public. Through PAS 43 we can ensure common codes of practice, which are paramount to developing high standards of operation, are communicated and adhered to across the industry.

“It is a measure of the success of PAS 43 that the 2010 edition recognises that the PAS is being adopted outside the UK and therefore makes provision for equivalent international standards to those British Standards referenced.”

“The considerable – and intensely practical – progress made in the last 12 years demonstrates the continued commitment of the SURVIVE group and we look forward to further developments in the years to come.”

The requirements within PAS 43 have been agreed by the major organisations within the breakdown and recovery industry with valued input and support from the Highways Agency, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), BSI and various Government agencies.

If you would like to read more about the changes and the difference between the PAS 43 Safe working of vehicle breakdown, recovery and removal operations please download the PAS43:2008 V PAS 43:2010 PDF.