What are your Occupational Road Risk Obligations?

Your company has obligations under health and safety concerning driving at work and should recognise that there are specific risks to employees who are driving or travelling on behalf of the company.

A policy is required with the objective of identifying and minimising those risks and to actively encourage safe driving to reduce the number of accidents and to comply with your legal obligations.

There is a responsibility to ensure operatives drive safely, maintain vehicles in a roadworthy condition and make every effort to promote drivers’ own safety and to the welfare of others.

On average private vehicle owners have a 1:7 likelihood of collision, whereas company drivers it increases to a 1:2 ratio, with more than 95% of accidents involving human error.

Purpose of the policy

• to provide guidance on company rules relating to driving
• to ensure all employees are aware of the H&S implications of using company vehicles
• the practice of safe driving is essential to maintain drivers’ ability to perform their jobs effectively
• to ensure that employees observe the rules of the road, and the use and maintenance of company and personal vehicles
• all employees are required to operate vehicles in a considerate manner and therefore minimise the risk of accidents.

H&S law applies to on-the road work activities and the risks should be effectively managed within the H&S management system. H&S policies need to extend to the arrangements for managing occupational road risks.

It should cover people whose role is driving, guidance for those responsible for such persons including the self-employed. There is a need to consider what steps should be taken to ensure drivers use the road as safely as possible.

Benefits

• Help to keep drivers safe on the road
• Help reduce business costs and risk by improving driver attitude, behaviour and competence
• Creates a record of managing risk showing diligence and control
• Manages duty of care requirements and complies with best practice on road safety.

Questions? Email [email protected] for advice tailored to your company, within 10 working days