Hi all sorry if it’s been posted before but I can’t seem to find the answer anywhere.
I work for a large furniture distribution centre. We work in a 2 man crew due to heavy lifting and we deliver all over UK.
Since I started working at the place I keep hearing from them in the office that they can keep us out for 21h if need be but if working time directive is for 15h how can you possible be kept out for 21h when we don’t even drive that long in any day.
If anyone can give me some advice on if they can legally keep us out delivering for 21h that would be great.
15hrs is for one person on his own,as a multi manned vehicle you CAN do 21hrs.
I’m sure someone will be along to explain the ins & outs of it all,but you can do 21hrs as a 2 man team.
JaxDemon:
Hi all sorry if it’s been posted before but I can’t seem to find the answer anywhere.
I work for a large furniture distribution centre. We work in a 2 man crew due to heavy lifting and we deliver all over UK.
Since I started working at the place I keep hearing from them in the office that they can keep us out for 21h if need be but if working time directive is for 15h how can you possible be kept out for 21h when we don’t even drive that long in any day.
If anyone can give me some advice on if they can legally keep us out delivering for 21h that would be great.
Yes they can- the minimum rest period under double manned regs is 9hrs out of a 30hr period from when Driver 1’s card goes in not the usual 24hrs you have on single man runs which is why there’s an extra 6hrs work possible
Yes but both crew members have to share the driving which the OP didn’t make clear. From experience on that sort of operation the second man is simply a porter.
assuming you both have the correct licences and start at the same time, yes you are basically stuffed ,however did you join as a driver or porter? next time you pass a ministry test station pull in.and ask
Beau Nydel:
Yes but both crew members have to share the driving which the OP didn’t make clear. From experience on that sort of operation the second man is simply a porter.
New look near me often double man with 2 drivers and do 21 hours in a wagon and drag delivering around the country.
I’d imagine it’s a steady number of you have a co driver you trust enough that you can jump on the bunk as get some sleep as you’d spend a good few hours per shift getting paid to sleep
nick2008:
Nothing to do with working time directive …
It’s drivers hours and it’s all in the book …
To be fair I don’t think anyone’s saying it’s down to the WTD, but I also don’t see why a company would double man a vehicle just to keep someone’s working time hours down.
Leaving aside the legalities, who on earth would willingly do a twenty one hour shift unless it was their own business? Jesus H Christ guys, this is why we’re treated as slaves. STOP IT.
the maoster:
Leaving aside the legalities, who on earth would willingly do a twenty one hour shift unless it was their own business? Jesus H Christ guys, this is why we’re treated as slaves. STOP IT.
Guy I spoke to said he did it because he only had to do 2 a week to get his hours in,used to start Sunday @ midnight be back for 10pm Monday,go again Tuesday @ midnight back for 10/11 wednesday then he’s got Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday off
He went to Cornwall (6hrs drive) then into Exeter then maybe into Cardiff then back to the yard.
It suited him…wouldn’t suit everyone,he did say he could get 4-6 hrs kip in while not driving.
nick2008:
Nothing to do with working time directive …
It’s drivers hours and it’s all in the book …
To be fair I don’t think anyone’s saying it’s down to the WTD, but I also don’t see why a company would double man a vehicle just to keep someone’s working time hours down.
Since I started working at the place I keep hearing from them in the office that they can keep us out for 21h if need be but if working time directive is for 15h how can you possible be kept out for 21h when we don’t even drive that long in any day.
nick2008:
Nothing to do with working time directive …
It’s drivers hours and it’s all in the book …
To be fair I don’t think anyone’s saying it’s down to the WTD, but I also don’t see why a company would double man a vehicle just to keep someone’s working time hours down.
Since I started working at the place I keep hearing from them in the office that they can keep us out for 21h if need be but if working time directive is for 15h how can you possible be kept out for 21h when we don’t even drive that long in any day.
Sorry Nick I missed that, I’ll book myself in for some reading lessons
SaintAndy:
Yes they can- the minimum rest period under double manned regs is 9hrs out of a 30hr period from when Driver 1’s card goes in not the usual 24hrs you have on single man runs which is why there’s an extra 6hrs work possible
Though you can do an hour at the start of a shift with just one driver and still comply with multi manning rules.
We double man, but for security not for hours. I can’t remember ever hitting 21 hours, been a few 18 hours, but mostly we run at no more than a single man could do. If you don’t mind the other guy, then often you’ll only drive about 5 - 6 hours a day, rest of the time you can nap, read, listen to the ipod. Our average work on the WTD is around 25-6 hours a week. In theory, if we do a double man run to say Sweden where it’s POA on a 27 hour ferry as well, one man could not ‘work’ all week.
Don’t forget the recent change to guidance which tells us the 9 hour rest in the 30 hour day is to be treated as a reduced rest, meaning only three times between two weekly rests.
Also - don’t think it has been mentioned, but the ‘other’ guy doesn’t necessarily have to drive - just be there capable of driving and you can have a 30 hour day. Of course you might run out of driving time if only one of you is driving.
it’s true! 
