Industry first as facilities management company transforms driver safety with RoSPA 

 

Client: ABM Aviation UK.

Service: RoSPA Level 2 Award in Defensive Driving.

Background:  ABM Aviation UK operates across 14 UK airports, partnering with airports and airlines to enhance passenger journeys. It provides services in airside ramp operations, terminals, and retail areas, employing approximately 6,000 team members to support its aviation partners.

We talked to Chris Pooley, the company’s Head of QHSE Aviation, about why ABM Aviation decided to undertake driver training and what the results have been.

The challenge:
ABM Aviation UK has around 660 at-work drivers. Their main activities include:

• Transporting Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRMs) between aircraft and terminals
• Assisting passengers within terminals and retail areas
• Transporting passengers via buses
• Delivering clean and removing dirty laundry and cabin waste
• Topping up aircraft potable water and managing foul waste
• Supporting airlines with aircraft security checks.

Chris said: “The aviation industry ramp-up of operations post-COVID-19, coupled with the loss of experienced operatives leaving the industry led to an increase in minor road traffic collision (RTC) incidents airside and one other incident in late 2023.

“This resulted in us deciding to invest and further develop the standards of driver training beyond current airside standards to enhance safety and minimise RTC incidents.”

The solution:
Chris says: “We chose RoSPA for their expertise in health and safety. RoSPA's leadership in driver safety made them the ideal partner to help us develop safer driving practices, especially in the challenging airside environment.

“We collaborated with RoSPA to create an industry-first airside hazards and defensive driving module, using footage from our driver safety system.

“Team members found the course enjoyable, informative, thought-provoking, and intense.”

The results:
According to Chris, the main benefits of the training have been increased awareness and understanding of defensive driving, enhanced engagement with drivers and improved operational efficiency and safety. Staff responded positively, sharing personal experiences and appreciating the insights into human factors affecting driving behaviour.

As some of the drivers are non-native English speakers, the language barrier posed an initial challenge, but the trainers provided additional support to ensure understanding.

Since the training at the incident airport (which took place between January and March 2024), Chris reveals some incredible results:

• A 44% increase in near-miss reporting

• A 49% reduction in airside RTC incidents

• A 55% reduction in Airside Infringement Notices (AINs)

• Reduced maintenance and repair costs

• Strengthened relationships with customers and other operators.

Chris said that there were several key lessons/good practice that ABM Aviation has developed through their training experiences that could help boost safety in the aviation industry as a whole, including:

• Involving key stakeholders in training to ensure alignment and understanding

• Regular driver workshops to share best practices/lessons learned

• Increased near-miss reporting/sharing safety information with airport colleagues.

The next steps:
Going forward, Chris says: “We are continuing to roll out the Level 2 Defensive Driving training and the airside-specific module to all 600 remaining drivers with the objective to achieve this by the beginning of April 2025. We are also upskilling our driver trainers to RoSPA Advanced Driver level to self-deliver the training and reduce incidents across all airports.”

Jim Niblock, ABM Aviation UK’s Managing Director, said: “At ABM Aviation UK, we are immensely proud of our commitment to safety and innovation. Partnering with RoSPA to deliver industry-first defensive driving training is a testament to our dedication to protecting our people, passengers, and partners. The incredible results we’ve achieved so far—reduced incidents, increased awareness, and strengthened relationships—highlight the power of collaboration and continuous improvement. We remain steadfast in our mission to lead the aviation industry in operational excellence and safety standards.”

 
January 2025.
 

Interested in our driver training?

Find out more at: www.rospa.com/health-and-safety-qualifications/health-and-safety-qualification-courses/rospa-level-2-award-in-defensive-driving