Idling Policy

16 Feb

Idling Policy

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ENGINE IDLING POLICY

Statement of Purpose

This policy has been developed to meet our obligations to protect air quality by reducing the environmental impact of our operations in relation to engine idling by our employees in company vehicles. This in turn will greatly improve the fuel efficiency of our operations, reduce fuel costs and ensure we avoid the increasing fines and penalties associated with engine idling.

Background

Air pollution such as diesel particulates, Carbon Monoxide, particularly ground-level NOx, is an immediate and ongoing concern in in the UK. The documented impacts on health,

economic growth, and quality of life are of great concern. Vehicle exhaust emissions from idling vehicles contributes significantly to air pollution.

Statement of Policy

It is our policy that drivers of any vehicle belonging to the business, employees, customers turn the engine off when a vehicle is stationary for more than 30 seconds, except when in traffic.

Exemptions

The policy of turning the engine off when stopped does not apply for the periods during which idling is necessary under the following circumstances:

  1. To provide for the safety of vehicle occupants, such as extreme cold conditions (e.g. to run the air heaters).
  2. When a driver is conducting a daily driver walkaround check of a vehicle which requires the engine to be idling to check for excessive smoke, to build up air pressure and to check for air/liquid leaks and dash faults.
  3. To use lifting/auxiliary equipment (e.g. hiab crane) powered by the engine for the loading and unloading of products or goods.
  4. When stopped in traffic.
  5. When unforeseen traffic, safety, or emergency situations arise.

Except for exemption 4, if in the above exemption cases equipment can be run from the battery alone i.e., tail lifts, drivers must refrain from idling unless there is a significant concern of draining the battery.

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