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