| What do you need to know? | | | | other roadusers to be involved in an |
| Companies can no longer take the risk of | | | | accident resulting in death or serious |
| ignoring their responsibilities | | | | injury. Thereforethere is an increasing |
| withregard to managing the risks | | | | focus by the authorities on work related |
| associated with 'driving at work' | | | | driving. Existing |
| Employers incorrectlyassume that | | | | Health and Safety legislation is now |
| provided they comply with road traffic | | | | more likely to be used in a bid to |
| law requirements, for examplecompany | | | | reducethe accident toll. Companies are |
| vehicles have a valid MOT and fleet | | | | now more likely to be investigated by |
| drivers hold a valid driving | | | | the policeand HSE in the wake of a |
| licence,this is enough to ensure the | | | | serious road traffic accident. |
| safety of their employees, and others, | | | | What do you need to do? |
| when theyare on the road. | | | | In simple terms you should have a safety |
| What is the current Legislation? | | | | management system for driving at |
| The Health and Safety at Work Act of | | | | workjust as you would for any other work |
| 1974 requires you to ensure, as far asis | | | | related activity. This should include: |
| reasonably practicable, the health and | | | | Comprehensive road safety policies |
| safety of employees while at work. | | | | supported by top management. |
| Under the Management of Health and | | | | Road safety management procedures, |
| Safety at Work Regulations 1992, | | | | including risk assessments for both |
| amendedin 1999, employers have a | | | | driversand specific driving tasks. |
| responsibility to manage health and | | | | Maintain and review accident statistics. |
| safety effectively. | | | | Look for common trends and risks. |
| You need to carry out an assessment of | | | | Implement safe practices that eradicate |
| the risks to the health and safety | | | | or minimise identified driving risks. |
| ofyour employees while they are at work, | | | | Ensure managers understand their role |
| and to other people who may be | | | | and responsibilities for managingroad |
| affectedby their work activities. This | | | | risk and are able to apply company |
| includes work-related driving | | | | policy. |
| activities. | | | | Ensure drivers are given relevant |
| Employees driving on company business | | | | information, training and supervisionto |
| are considered to be undertaking a | | | | be safe on the road. |
| workactivity and the vehicle they are | | | | Regularly audit the safety of journeys |
| driving, regardless of ownership, is | | | | and amend policies and |
| regardedas a place of work. | | | | proceduresaccordingly if new risks are |
| The Health and Safety Commission | | | | identified. |
| recently issued a series of guidelines | | | | Does this include the use of private |
| coveringthe employer's responsibility | | | | vehicles? |
| towards the employee. This included the | | | | Ownership of the vehicle is irrelevant. |
| recommendationthat every company | | | | Companies have the same liability |
| appointed a director to look after | | | | forindividuals who drive their own |
| health and safety - includingdriving at | | | | vehicles on company business as those |
| work. | | | | who drivecompany owned fleet vehicles. |
| Health and Safety law does not apply to | | | | Don't be fooled into thinking that by |
| commuting, unless the employee is | | | | abandoning the traditional company carin |
| travellingfrom their home to a location | | | | favour of cash for car alternatives you |
| for business purposes, which is not | | | | can get rid of your duty of care |
| their usualplace of work. | | | | - you can't. |
| Why is there a spotlight on this issue? | | | | In some respects the risks associated |
| The Government has clearly indicated | | | | with the use of privately owned |
| that it intends to pursue a policy | | | | vehiclesare greater. This is because you |
| ofreducing road traffic accidents and | | | | have less control over things like |
| has set tough targets. Research has | | | | maintenance,tyres and suitability of the |
| confirmedthat individuals driving on | | | | vehicle for the task. |
| company business are more likely than | | | | |