Bermuda’s vehicle inspectors and trucking community was given a lesson in safety standards for trailers by an expert from the UK.Andrew Cattell, vehicle standards manager for the Vehicle Operator and Safety Agency (VOSA), led five courses for a total of 25 the Transport Control Department (TCD) examiners, Bermuda Emissions Control Ltd (BECL) inspectors and representatives from Government and the three biggest players in the trucking market Island Construction, Bermuda Forwarders and D&J Excavation over the course of this week.The Trailer Inspection Course, which was put on by BECL and the TCD, focused on container chassis trailers approximately 300 of which are on the Island and which represent a substantial proportion of the commercial vehicle fleet, delivering goods from the docks to stores, wholesalers and contractors.Carrying a load of up to almost 20 tonnes, it is important to keep the trailers and their associated tractor units in good condition and so that they can pass the annual safety inspection, said Ian Hind, director of operations at BECL.Mr Hind said that given that the original TCD inspection manual was almost an exact copy of the UK version and that it follows the same system, including driving on the left-hand side of the road, with the TCD examiners being trained by VOSA as UK MOT inspectors, he felt it was appropriate to bring in Mr Cattell to give the instruction.“I was concerned from a technical point of view that certain elements of the inspection process that we needed to work on such as braking systems and fifth wheel coupling,” he said.“This course was designed to improve the skills and knowledge of my inspectors.“It also included TCD examiners who audit what we do and need to know what we are doing and we invited representatives from the biggest fleets of container chassis owners Island Construction, Bermuda Forwarders and D&J Excavation, which represent 90 percent of the trailers on the market and Government.“The reaction has been better than I anticipated with the private sector willing to share their knowledge and experience and point out weaknesses and positives which we have taken on board. The good thing from their perspective is that they have seen what we have to do as inspectors and they now know how to get the vehicle ready for inspection.”Mr Cattell, whose agency is responsible for all standards for motor vehicles in the UK from motor cycles to large commercial trucks, delivered in a practical way that enables businesses to continue operating smoothly while maintaining road safety.“It is all about as I would say ‘educating to increase compliance rates’,” he said.Asked about his impressions of vehicle safety in Bermuda, Mr Cattell replied: “I think like any different environment Bermuda is subject to some of the most harsh conditions, as well as different speed limits and weight conditions, which need to be considered.“Having said that, there are always preventive maintenance systems that could be improved in the form of public and private partnerships working with industry.“You have to take all of these environmental factors into account before developing systems to encourage compliance.“My overall impression is that it is good to see that you have such high standards that reflect the conditions that you have here while there are lots of positives to take forward there are also challenges that need to be met.”