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The words and opinions expressed here are my own, and do not, in any way, represent the views of my employer (OnCourse).
You are here: Home / Archives for This and That

At the Sharp End

Published June 30, 2014 By Mick Farmer

Bangladesh Training Photo

The capacity of any fleet to effectively do the tasks intended is the responsibility of everyone working in that organisation.  Everyone from the top down has to be involved otherwise standard operating procedures are never followed.  Consider it as a wedge if you like. At the sharp end of the wedge there’s the vehicle. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving, This and That Tagged With: driver training

RSA.ie – Duty of Care to Drivers

Published March 27, 2012 By The architect

Duty of Care

RSA.ie - What the laws say. While drivers are responsible for how they drive, you as an employer have duties in helping to make driving for work safer. Three sets of laws influence driving for work in Ireland: Road Traffic Laws: the Road Traffic Act 1961 and its later amendments influence driving on public roads in Ireland. The Gardai, sometimes in collaboration with the HSA, are responsible for enforcing road traffic laws and investigating collisions and fatalities. Health & … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: driver training, driving, road safety

Test of crash helmets available in Uganda

Published June 3, 2011 By Mick Farmer

Not all helmets are the same.  First two helmets are bought from the general market place. The blue one is the most common one to be worn as it is the cheapest! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: helmets, road safety, safety gear

Observations on Fleet Operation in Harsh /Hostile Environments

Published November 27, 2009 By Mick Farmer

Fleet Operation - Bunia

By the nature of their work humanitarian agencies are more than likely to be working in insecure and remote areas with limited resources to safely operate their fleets. However, in my experience, the majority of these agencies do not put into place correct systems and procedures for maintenance and safe operation of their vehicles to counter this. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: fleet

OnCourse and Carbon Neutrality

Published July 15, 2009 By Mick Farmer

Good fleet management will have an overall effect of reducing fuel costs.  We deal with the driver issue. This is one the major area where organisations can safe fuel, therefore reducing costs and harmful emissions. Recently OnCourse decided that we would take our responsibility one step further and look at becoming officially Carbon Neutral. At first glance it all seemed pretty straight forward; we would need an audit doing by a qualified company, which does exist in Uganda. After the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: co2, facility

DRIVER TRAINING – the last 10 years.

Published July 5, 2008 By Mick Farmer

10 years ago we started providing driver training. At the time we were running a repair shop in Kampala. We noticed that some of our customers’ vehicles were getting damaged, some severely so, and had an increase in wear and tear due to improper driving/misunderstanding of 4wd vehicles. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: driver training, OnCourse, road safety

Vehicle Emissions in Africa

Published November 26, 2006 By Mick Farmer

Matatu pollution - skater hanging on

With the number of vehicles hitting the road, ever on the increase, a concern over the vehicle emission levels which some of these smoke billowing vehicles cause, is a major concern. However, we have to face the fact, vehicles using the internal combustion engine, as a main source of power, are going to be around for a long time. Too many powerful countries and companies have a vested interest in keeping the status quo. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: co2

Keeping 4wds Simple for Harsh Environments

Published October 1, 2006 By Mick Farmer

off-road driving - high range training - malawi

Electronically Challenged During my apprentice days, I came across the KISS principle. You found out what this meant as soon as you tried to offer up a complicated solution to a problem and met with the answer, "K(eep) I(t) S(imple) S(tupid)!" … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: Mechanical, toyota landcruiser

Do I Need to Buy a 4wd for Uganda?

Published April 3, 2004 By Mick Farmer

murchison falls road sign

Do I need a 4wd for Uganda? It depends on what you intend to do. If you are based in Kampala and only going on safari once a year then a two wheel drive vehicle will suffice. You can always hire out a 4wd. The main roads in Kampala are mostly tarmac although can be pot holed. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: 4wd, driving, off-road driving, questions

Learning How to Drive a 4wd the Hard Way

Published November 29, 2003 By Mick Farmer

Back in 1995 I was given a Land Rover to drive as part of my job escorting and supporting trucks taking food relief into Southern Sudan. The roads and conditions were extremely poor to say the least. The trucks, although 6x6 ex military AEC, were having a problem getting through especially in the rainy season. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: off-road driving

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