The move means that the MPA – whose members collectively transport more than one million tonnes of construction materials daily – joins a growing number of UK organisations taking the next step towards eliminating road-related risk.
DfBB is a free-to-access Government-backed National Highways programme, delivered in partnership with leading forum RoadSafe. It aims to improve road safety by promoting good management practices and demonstrating the benefits for organisations, their employees, contractors and other road users.
The MPA is the UK trade association for producers of aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, stone and industrial minerals, representing the biggest flow of materials in the economy. Driving is one of the highest-risk activities that workers in the mineral products sector undertake, whether they drive a truck, van, or company car or make occasional work journeys in their own vehicle.
The DfBB programme has already registered more than 2 million drivers, more than 1 million company cars, more than 1 million light commercial vehicles, and more than 200,000 HGVs.
National Highways' Driving for Better Business lead, Anne-Marie Penny, said: "Partnering with organisations that share our vision is inspiring and I'm especially pleased to welcome the Mineral Products Association to the Driving for Better Business family to work together promoting good practice in road risk management, among its members, helping everyone to get home safe and well. By becoming a partner, MPA members will have access to a range of free resources, guides and tools. These will help deliver significant benefits, both for the companies and their employees."
MPA Head of Health and Safety Colin Mew said: "The mineral products industry transports huge volumes of materials to where they are needed in construction and manufacturing, and most of that volume goes by road. Within our Vision Zero strategy and working with our members, we have already taken major steps to reduce road traffic accidents as one of the six highest consequence hazards ('The Fatal 6') known to cause the most serious injuries in our sector.
"Our new partnership with Driving for Better Business is an important step to take the industry to the next level and fulfil our duty of care both within and outside of work – DfBB clearly shares our vision, and we're looking forward to working with the team to help our industry to realise it."
