The Petroleum Driver Passport is now ten years old. Has it delivered on its remit to improve standards in the UK fuel distribution sector?
2024 marks the tenth anniversary of the Petroleum Driver Passport (PDP) scheme, an industry initiative backed by government that was designed to ensure that all tanker drivers in the UK are trained and assessed to a consistent standard in loading, transporting and offloading petroleum fuel products from road tankers.
The PDP Scheme was developed by the Downstream Fuel Distribution Forum (DFDF), a partnership of employers, industry bodies and trade unions, and it is managed by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in conjunction with the PDP Management Group. SQA has been instrumental in moving the scheme forward, publishing a 17th edition of the PDP Manual of Practice only in April 2023.
Peter Oakford, DFDF chair, says: “We are delighted to be marking the 10th anniversary of the PDP scheme this year. Since the beginning, our core focus has been centred around the promotion of high levels of safety and competency across the fuel distribution sector, and this is still very much our ethos today. This significant milestone is also testament to the continued commitment and dedication of all DFDF members. I would therefore like to say a huge thank you to everyone who worked towards this important achievement.”
Currently, more than 11,000 road tanker drivers in the UK hold a PDP card demonstrating to terminal operators, hauliers, customers and the wider public that they have been trained to the same consistently high and externally verified standard in all aspects of tanker driving from pre-vehicle checks to loading, driving and discharging.
MORE TO COME
The scheme is, though, not standing still. Oakford explains what to expect: “Over the next ten years, DFDF looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively on issues relating to health and safety and training in the downstream fuel distribution sector, while also reaching out to other areas of growth within its network.”
Jenny Clucas, DFDF facilitator, adds: “Marking this milestone provides an important opportunity to recognise the growth of the scheme and positive achievements over the last ten years while also strengthening and extending multi-stakeholder dialogue and co-operation as the sector continues to evolve. To celebrate ten years of the PDP Scheme, the DFDF will make available a number of resources for those wishing to join our digital celebration throughout 2024.”
The PDP scheme was one of the early initiatives developed by DFDF after its formation in 2012 with a remit to provide an on-going forum for the discussion and resolution of issues relating to health and safety and training in the downstream fuel industry. The DFDF membership is made up of the major hauliers, trade associations, government departments (the Department for Transport and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) and unions connected with the fuel product distribution industry.
“For a decade now, we have been working with the DFDF to promote the benefits of the PD Passport and encourage drivers and employers to adopt nationally recognised safety standards,” says Gary Stewart, head of contract operations at SQA. “To date, we have awarded over 11,000 PDP card holders who demonstrate every day that they meet and exceed these rigorous safety standards. We look forward to continuing our work with DFDF and contributing to the ongoing success of the PD Passport scheme.”
source: https://hcblive.com/training-passports-please/
