Page 27 - BOSS Today Issue 19

“The practices of other

companies should be
researched and employees

canvassed to obtain their

views on road safety.”

OCCUPATIONAL ROAD RISK: responsibilities this will help Check

ARE YOU overall risk management processes should check
Driver attitudes should be
build the foundation to the
examined. Recruitment
approach.
employees’ competencies and
Do
additional licenses. as well
as any road accidents they
Simply reducing road mileage
have been involved in, any
by using other modes of
transport (eg travelling by train)
checks of driving licenses for
will assist in the minimisation
endorsements should also be
of potential and actual road penalty points etc. Frequent
traffic accidents. Using public made. Drivers must report all
transport can also help reduce accidents and incidents and
any time lost due to travelling, employers must make sure that
as this allows employees to these are all investigated.
work, for example, on the train
using their laptops and other taken every two hours. The risk The employer must be very Act
mobile devices. Furthermore, assessment should consider the clear within its policy that Employers must always ensure
employers should question driver taking overnight stops employees must not speed that policy criteria are audited
whether staff really need to rather than driving straight home, whilst on company business. to asses their effectiveness with
travel to a particular meeting. and also whether a journey could Additionally, unrealistic targets the hazard and risk they were
A simple teleconference can be rescheduled if the weather for call out or delivery times devised to manage. Any issues
significantly reduce costs, reduce is too adverse. This would also must not be set, as this can lead identified should be acted upon
the exposure to road risk for the include making sure that the to poor driving techniques. to ensure that improvements
employee and save the business vehicle is right for the job and All drivers must be ‘fit’ to drive are made.
money. that it is properly maintained and meet the DVLA’s medical For further information, look
Employers should consider and serviced, taxed, MOT’d and fitness requirements. This at the BPIF/BOSS guidance
investing in advanced driving that drivers who drive their own includes reporting any visual, documents on the web site
lessons for employees (such vehicles for work have a valid neurological or psychiatric for occupational road risk and
as van drivers, sales reps and business insurance policy. But is disorders. Drivers should also other related documents, such
managers) who frequently use this enough? If this point is taken know what they should do in as the HSE’s ‘Driving at Work:
the highways for the business. to the letter of the law, then a an emergency and must be Managing Work-Related Road
These courses can vary, but company vehicle - whether a van provided with a mobile phone. Safety’. Alternatively, call your
even a basic three hour training or car etc - would fall under the However, employers must local BOSS Health, Safety and
course can make improvements criteria of the Provisions and Use ensure that drivers are aware Environmental Advisor.
to drivers’ attitudes and driving of Work Equipment Regulations that all use of mobile phones
techniques in all weather (PUWER). Thus it should be while driving is prohibited. n FOR FURTHER
conditions. maintained in an efficient state An employee can still be INFORMATION CONTACT
All journeys should be planned, and in good working order: prosecuted if they cause an THE BOSS HEALTH & SAFETY
making certain that the safest but how often do staff actually accident whilst driving using TEAM ON 0845 450 1565
routes are taken, with breaks physically check their vehicles? Is both hand held and hands free
of at least 15-20 minutes being this documented every week? devices.

October 2013 | BOSS TODAY 27

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