News Update 

Managing work-related road safety

Managing Driving at Work Risks

Managing your employees on the road.

More than a quarter of all road traffic incidents may involve somebody who is driving as part of their work at the time (Department for Transport figures).1 Health and safety law applies to work activities on the road in the same way as it does to all work activities and you need to manage the risks to drivers as part of your health and safety arrangements.

The Law.

Employers have duties under health and safety law for on-the-road work activities. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act)2 states you must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees while at work. You must also ensure that others are not put at risk by your work-related driving activities. The self-employed have similar responsibilities. ‘So far as reasonably practicable’ means balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control the real risk in terms of money, time or trouble. However, you do not need to take action if it would be grossly disproportionate to the level of risk. 

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require you to manage health and safety effectively. You must carry out an assessment of the risks to the health and safety, You must also ensure that others are not put at risk by your work-related driving activities. The self-employed have similar responsibilities. of your employees, while they are at work, and to other people who may be affected by your organisation’s work activities. 

As an employer its important to have the correct risk assessments in place.  Are yours in place and up-to-date?

Below are some questions to ask when drafting up a risk assessment for drivers. At Safewell we have dedicated Health & Safety and Occupational Health teams to support all aspects of driver safety and risk assessment planning and support. From Health medicals to on going Health & Safety Consultancy.

Questions to ask.

Some questions to ask when drafting up a risk assessment :

Are your drivers competent and capable of doing their work in a way that is safe for them and other people? 

Are your drivers properly trained?

Do you ensure your drivers have clear instructions about how to keep themselves safe while on the road?

Are your drivers sufficiently fit and healthy to drive safely and not put themselves or others at risk?

Do you know your duties under health and safety law when employing contractors and subcontractors?

Are vehicles fit for the purpose for which they are used?

Are vehicles maintained in a safe and fit condition?

Are you sure that drivers’ health, and possibly safety, is not being put at risk, eg from an inappropriate seating position or driving posture?

Do you plan routes thoroughly?

Do you allow enough time to complete journeys safely?

Do you consider poor weather conditions, such as snow or high winds, when planning journeys?

These are just some questions to get you thinking about what maybe required within your business.

For more information on this article please click on the HSE link.