Workplace transport is the
second biggest cause of fatal incidents in British
workplaces.
Of the
3,201 people killed in
the UK through Road Traffic Crashes during 2002 approximately
1,200 were as a direct result of vehicles
being driven for work purposes
'At work road
traffic crashes'. The vast majority of these incidents were
preventable.
Any vehicle in which an
employee carries out business on behalf of the company or
organisation is regarded as a place of work and as such is
deemed a place of work and subject to the current
legislation.
Many companies regard the
new legislation as an area that simply increases costs and
cuts down on profits. Implications of failing to take a more
proactive approach and introduce the necessary procedures
and policies required to comply with the legislation may
have massive financial implications for an organisation.
For More detailed
information relating to this legislation please
click here.
The Health & Safety Executive
state that in the year up to March 2005 some 341 people were killed in the work
place. Along with many other road safety organisations we see the company
car, van, truck bus and coach as a work place.
Organisations are not immune from the real costs of
crashes/accidents involving staff whilst driving in their own time for
personal and private business. Added to the personal suffering of employees
and families, organisations can suffer tremendous financial
loss through down time, lost production etc when a partner or family member
is involved in a road traffic incident.
See
The benefits of such
programmes extend beyond the organisation as information is disseminated to
family, friends and the general public.
Courses can combine both theory and practical training. The
theory aspect looks at the risks to individuals and offers coping strategies
tailored to the organisation. The practical in-car assessments and training
raise awareness of the individual driver to their responsibilities.
Work related
Road Safety - Employers Responsibilities
Some employers believe
incorrectly that provided they comply with certain road traffic law
requirements, such as ensuring that company vehicles have a valid MOT
certificate, they are doing all that is necessary to ensure the safety of
their employees when on the road.
Health and safety law requires employers, and the self-employed to
ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health, safety and welfare of
all employees, at all times. Employers also have a responsibility to ensure
that others are not put at risk by the work activities of their employees.
Although the driver is ultimately responsible for how a vehicle is driven on
the road the employer can have a significant influence on what the driver
does. For example, the imposition of unrealistic delivery schedules,
inadequate training and failure to properly maintain vehicles all increase
the risk of road accidents.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require
every employer to carry out an assessment of the risks to the health and
safety of their employees, or themselves, whilst they are at work, and to
other people who may be affected by their work activities. This includes any
driving activity on the road. The regulations require the risk assessment to
be reviewed periodically to ensure that it remains valid. Employers should
consider the risks to employees on the road in the same way as for those in
a workplace.
Taken From:
Health & Safety Executive
Reducing Risks Protecting People
