Gregory Distribution
The Gregory Group, operating with a fleet of over 500 vehicles, 900 trailers and 1,900 employees has adopted Peoplesafe’s personal safety service to mitigate potential risk to their lone working delivery drivers.
Using the MySOS personal safety alarm, Gregory Distribution drivers are able to call for help at the touch of a button, wherever they are, whenever. With valuable consignments, haulage drivers are a common target for criminals with frequent reports of assaults and theft within the industry. In fact, a survey conducted by the International Road Transport Union shows that 1 in 6 HGV drivers experience an attack or assault whilst working.
Although most HGVs have fitted tracking devices to safeguard assets, there is often no means of driver protection. With an alarming 42% of reported attacks occurring in truck parks or motorway service stations, it is clear that additional driver protection is required. The key-fob-sized MySOS device is designed to stay on your person at all times, attached to a set of keys or worn in a belt holster, protecting the driver when they are away from the vehicle.
Gregory Distribution understands the risks faced by their lone working drivers and set about sourcing a BS 8484 approved lone worker personal safety service. Following a successful trial period with Peoplesafe, the company chose to roll out the MySOS devices.
The MySOS allows users to raise an alarm at the press of a button should they feel threatened or that their safety is compromised. The alarm is immediately sent to Peoplesafe’s own purpose-built Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) where Alarm Controllers will listen in, locate the user, assess the situation and take action as appropriate, including escalating to the emergency services.
When tracking options are enabled, the MySOS device will also automatically record and transmit its GPS locations at set intervals, or manually by the press of a button on the device. These positions can be viewed on a map and with grid references in real-time, via the Peoplesafe Portal.
Speaking as to why Peoplesafe was the preferred choice, Jamie Walker, Contract Manager for Gregory Distribution mentioned: “we needed to ensure that all of our drivers are protected and we all have the assurance that they have a backup in terms of communication and response, Peoplesafe provides us with this.”
Peoplesafe’s online portal allows client administrators or end-users to create and update their account details in real-time, 24/7. Clients can input their own emergency procedures, tailored to their organisation and department, or personalised to each employee.
Peoplesafe is proven in use across the haulage and distribution sector and we have a wealth of experience in delivering fast, effective incident resolution.
We’re accredited to the highest industry standards and our MySOS personal alarm and Alarm Receiving Centre has national police approval via the coveted ‘Secured by Design’ initiative.
