How tidy your van is may not seem to be a crucial factor in the productivity of your business. However, a well organised van could make all the difference in terms of safety and efficiency. Dave Willets, Commercial Manager at interpart (the parts division of Baxi) offers advice on the benefits of greater van efficiency.
Effectively organising tools and parts into allocated drawers, containers, boxes and shelving units keeps the central space of the van clear, meaning it’s easier and quicker to lay your hands on what you need. This enables you to save time in the van, giving you more time to do the work. In addition, not wasting time searching through the van for necessary equipment and tools helps to create a positive image of yourself and your business.
Securing tools, equipment and spare parts in this way increases efficiency and is crucial for the safety of the driver. Unrestrained items can be a serious distraction and can also present a real risk of personal injury if a collision occurs.
It is important to bear in mind that the force of a collision can cause an item such as a gas bottle to become 20 times its normal weight. As well as weighing so much more, anything unrestrained will be catapulted forward at the same speed the vehicle was travelling. Therefore, if a vehicle crashes at 30 mph, an unsecured domestic heating boiler, for example, could be thrown forward at 30 mph doing substantial (and expensive) damage to both the van and maybe even the driver.
From a safety perspective, it is also vital to ensure that items can be accessed easily, to limit the amount of bending and stretching involved. Stretching to reach highly placed and heavy objects can cause injuries, especially if it falls unexpectedly. Care should therefore be taken to choose an in-vehicle storage system that is ergonomic and user-friendly.
Excessive movement of certain products such as wet plumbing equipment causes spillages that could damage the interior of the vehicle. With this in mind, it is worth considering optional extras, such as waterproof interior coating. This means that if there are any accidents or breakages, time need not be wasted cleaning and waiting for the vehicle to dry.
Finally, while it may be obvious, it is also worth remembering to keep all van documents in a safe place so that they can are easily accessible in case of emergency.
