A servicing and maintenance service for van ancillary equipment, a 120-point van inspection service and a strategy of fitting safety wheel trims to all new vans are launched during July.

The three initiatives follow a six-month review with fleet customers on how Lex can help address the growing number of safety issues facing van fleet operators.

The first initiative involves Lex signing a contract with Stone Hardy to provide servicing and maintenance for all ancillary equipment fitted to Lex vehicles, such as tail lifts and cranes.

Stone Hardy, part of the Ratcliff group, will provide the nationwide service to support the 1,000 vehicles Lex manages with specialist equipment fitted. This ranges from 3.5 tonne Transits for rail company Jarvis to quad bikes run by the MOD equipped with mini cranes.

Stone Hardy will also provide service reminders to operators as well as making regular safety checks to ensure the equipment works properly and adheres to Health and Safety legislation.

Lex is addressing the growing problems for van operators of ever-increasing manufacturer service intervals by launching an interim Van Inspection service, which will be managed by RAC Vehicle Inspection. The aim of the 120-point inspection is to ensure vehicles are safe and roadworthy and any specific problems with the vehicle cropping up between services are fixed immediately before they cause any safety related issues.

The third initiative is the decision by Lex to fit all new light commercials put onto its 30,000-strong van fleet with safety wheel trims. The trim has two purposes, firstly it gives a visual warning whether the wheel nuts have come loose allowing the driver to give the wheels a quick visual check each day and also locking the nut in place before it becomes loose enough to fall off.

‘Vans often get driven by a number of different people each week, work 24 hours a day and in some very demanding conditions, so its tough for employers to ensure vehicles are working safely at all times,’said Ian Yates, van product manager at Lex Vehicle Leasing.

‘These three initiatives combined help overcome some of these vehicle condition issues and more importantly help ensure companies meet their Duty of Care responsibilities at all times.’