Expanding your HGV business is no small feat. If you have expanded your HGV business into a new area, it means your business is doing something right. There is a lot to consider, and you should carefully manage your expectations in the first few days.

Being at a new location is also a big unknown. While you may be used to travelling in your HGV, you may not be used to a new facility. You will have to get used to a new area, and you will have to do all that you can to keep the new building secure. You will also need to ensure your drivers and staff are trained in the new location.

You will need to protect your HGVs on this new site, especially if they contain valuables. Working with a security expert can be very beneficial. Consider reading the following tips to ensure your new business site is secure after an expansion.

Safety and Security Should Be Your Number One Priority

It goes without saying – safety and security should be your top priority across the board. Of course, the last thing you want is for your drivers and staff to get injured in the new facilities. For that reason, it’s your job to encourage your employees to speak up if they’ve got any safety concerns. They may have insights on potential driving hazards that you have overlooked or site-specific concerns. You may also have valuables within your HGV site that needs to be protected overnight when locked up. Security experts such as First Response Group Security Services can monitor your new site 24/7. This may be in the form of security guards, alarm responses, and mobile security patrols.

Conduct Inspections Regularly

Regular and thorough checks throughout the new site allow you to establish problems before they happen. You should ensure you are checking your vehicles when they are parked regularly, too. Regular inspections and maintenance are key for keeping your HGVs safe, as well as helping to keep your facility safe and secure. You should conduct regular walkarounds to find out if there are any issues that need addressing. This could be done by yourself, or you may want to hire experts to survey your facility. You could have security systems in place that allows you to complete inspections from afar.

Implement Routine Alcohol and Drug Testing

As you will be at new facilities, it will be a good idea to ensure that your staff are as safe as they can be. There are certain regulations and rules employees need to follow when in the HGV industry. Not just on the road but in the facility, too. HGV drivers will need to complete routine alcohol and drug testing to ensure they are safe to drive and operate the vehicle. This is for their safety as well as anyone else’s. Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is illegal. You will need to ensure everyone in your new HGV facility is trained and safe to work.

Incorporate Policies and Regular Training

Now you’ve got a better idea of measures to take for your new HGV site, how do you activate them all successfully? The answer is policies and regular training. Areas like drink and drug testing or security inspection need to be clearly displayed in your HGV policy.

As a manager of a successful and expanding HGV business, you must do everything you can to protect the new expansion from start to finish. Your drivers are your priority. Ensure they and your fleet are safe. This will be key on the road, as well as in the facility.

About the Author: John Loughran