Bin lorry drivers need extra training, union says

A plea to give extra training to bin lorry drivers has been issued following concerns that they are not properly taught to navigate Glasgow’s narrow streets.

GMB and cleansing convenor Chris Mitchell says workers feel like they are under a lot of pressure and worry they will face disciplinary action if they make even the slightest mistake.

Chris argues that although HGV drivers are trained at the Daldowie Centre, there is only so much ground that can be covered and more needs to be done to prepare staff who have to navigate the narrow streets of Glasgow.

Glasgow City Council said that on top of training at the centre, all drivers then undergo annual training to ensure they maintain the statutory standard expected.

Chris explained: “Drivers are having to manoeuvre around some of the tightest streets in any local authority in Scotland. They are going into tight lanes and tight spaces while looking after the vehicle itself and the general public’s welfare.

“Staff feel like they are under a lot of pressure so even if they have the least wee accident like reversing back and bumping a parked car they are immediately suspended from driving right away.

“This sometimes leads to a disciplinary as a result but it is putting these drivers under a lot of scrutiny.”

The convenor argues that cleansing workers feel they are under more scrutiny in the aftermath of the bin lorry collision in George Square which happened in December 2014 – when Harry Clake passed out at the wheel.

Chris went on: “The GMB wants to know what the best way forward is especially when we are trying to promote HGV driving within this city.

“If a driver is suspended from their role, they are sitting at home for weeks at a time worrying about their job.

“Drivers complete their training at a car park at Daldowie Training Centre and doesn’t reflect real life scenarios for example kids walking to school or people crossing the road.

“Mistakes can happen but we fear the training isn’t sufficient.

“This has all stemmed since the Harry Clark incident on George Square. I understand why we need health and safety policies but we need a more robust system in place to keep everyone safe.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “The HGV qualified drivers we take on to drive our refuse vehicles will undergo a period of assessment at our Daldowie training centre to ensure they can manoeuvre the vehicles appropriately.

“All drivers then undergo annual training to ensure they maintain the statutory standard expected by the Certificate of Professional Competence for HGV licensed driving.”