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