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