News Article

Creating a Safe Working Environment where Vehicles are the Main Place of Work

It has been estimated that up to a third of all road traffic accidents involved somebody who was at work at the time. This could account for over 20 deaths and over two hundred serious injuries every week.

Did you know that HSE guidance applies to any employer, manager or supervisor with staff who drive, or ride a motorcycle or bicycle at work and in particularly those with responsibility for fleet management?

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, you have a responsibility to manage health and safety effectively. You need to carry out an assessment of the risks to the health and safety of your employees, while they are at work, and to other people who may be affected by their work activities.

The Regulations require you to periodically review your risk assessment so that it remains appropriate.

It covers people whose main job is driving, and those who drive or ride occasionally or for short distances, the guidance also applies to the self-employed.

The guidance suggests ways to manage the risk to drivers' health and safety. Companies with large goods vehicles (LGV) or passenger service vehicles (PSV) may also be subject to specific legislative requirements that take precedence over the HSE advice.

Many incidents happen because drivers are not paying attention or are distracted as well as not observing the Highway Code.

As an employer or manager you need to consider what steps you should take to ensure that your employees use the road as safely as possible.
HSE has produced a free leaflet outlining your legal responsibilities to manage work related road safety.

These requirements are in addition to the duties you have as an employer under road traffic law.

For more information and advice about protecting your workforce please contact Nigel Kennedy on 07951 120328 or email nkennedy@reesastley.co.uk

 

 

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