Fact that affect all of us.
The Number of Vehicles on our Roads equals 33,000,000
Every day your employees take to the road, they have a 1 in 200 chance of being killed
Factors in road crashes are 95% driver error
20 Fatalities and 250 serious injuries happen to drivers at work every week
Driving at work.
As well as protecting your employees, third parties may not take kindly if they are the victim of your driver’s mistake. It has been known for companies to receive the blame and have to face civil litigation due to the actions of their employees whilst driving at work. It is becoming clearer that UK officials wish to make companies more responsible for their employees’ actions whilst on the road. After incidents occur it has been known for Police officers to turn up at a place of work wanting to question bosses and asking what will to done to curb this from happening again. Companies could receive improvement notices, and if caught again, a fine may be issued.
Indeed employers are as responsible for their staff while they are driving and carrying out their work related tasks, as though they are still on the premises. Employers cannot discharge their responsibilities when an employee uses their own vehicle, the liability is the same. In a recent survey, 75% of male employees and 49% of female employees in the manufacturing industry reported that they were required to use a vehicle (usually their own) in the course of their work (excluding commuting). Health & Safety Law applies to ‘On-The-Road’ work activities as to all work activities and the risks should be effectively managed within a Health & Safety Management System.
The Government Road Safety Strategy Group have a target to reduce road accident fatalities and serious injury by over 40% by the year 2010. The HSE re-issued their guidance with regard to Work Related Road Safety on the 17th September 2003, so that companies can review their current management systems and then request help if required to comply with their duty of care.
Company requirements.
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 requires you to ensure the following. (Quotes)
- It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.
- the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees;
- It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.
Risk Assesment
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. (Quotes)
Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of -
(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and
(b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking,
Every self-employed person shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of -
(a) the risks to his own health and safety to which he is exposed whilst he is at work; and
(b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking,
“all employers must remember they have a health and safety responsibility for their drivers.....and help us reach the working drivers who are too busy to be concerned with safety.”
Dr Stephen Ladyman, Transport Minister
March 2006
There are benefits to you.
It makes sense that employers take steps to reduce potential risks to the disruption and flow of their business saving time and resource, avoiding the potential blame and claim that could, and does result. As well as complying with health and safety requirements, you can add to a driver’s sense of wellbeing as he will be applying advanced techniques encouraging him to take pride in his job, reducing the risk to himself and others. One improvement may then lead to another e.g. more sympathy and better attitude to the company vehicle, resulting in less wear and tear, reducing servicing and maintenance, reducing the amount of unsightly damage, improving professionalism, improving image, reducing costs, lowering insurance premiums year on year even if your fleet is growing, less stress, a potential 10% saving on fuel, better time management and more pride in your image. Why not set an incentive for your staff to take pride in their driving and personally achieve a formal advanced driver’s qualification? This will without doubt reflect positively on your company, create a safety conscious environment, and save a small fortune.
What we can do for you.
Of course no two companies are the same, and risk factors differ greatly due to the type of operation you are running. We therefore do not take a prescribed approach to assessing your risks, rather we will take a look at your drivers, your vehicles and work loads placed on them and work on an agreed and comprehensive solution, some areas may well already be implemented, whilst others need due consideration. We will then strive to review this as often as reasonably practical to maximise cost saving and implement a safer working environment for all, and all in a way so as not unduly disrupt the day to day running of your business.
SAFED For Vans.
Price on application.
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