Employers should be committed to reducing the risk of work-related road traffic incidents. An employer has a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all their employees as far as reasonably practicable, including work-related driving activities.
Legislation
Although the primary legislation that governs work-related driving is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, organisations are obligated under numerous other legislation to ensure safe working practices are implemented, such as:
· Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
· The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
· Road Traffic Acts supported by the Highway Code
· EC Drivers’ Hours Rules
· UK Domestic Drivers’ Hours Rules
· Tachograph Regulations
· The Road Transport (Working Times) Regulations 2005
· The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1996
· Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
It is not solely the responsibility of the employer to obey legislation, but the employee is also duty bound to comply with the legislation.
Policy
If an organisation has an effective policy in place, this will ensure that all employees are aware of their responsibilities within health and safety and safe driving practices. This will will help both the organisation and the employee comply with the legislation, reduce the risk of work-related driving incidents, and protect the organisation against the possibility of a tribunal claim and/or criminal offence. Areas to consider within your policy may include, but are not limited to:
· Driver safety
· Vehicle safety
· Journey planning
· Use of mobile phone
· Drugs and alcohol
· Accident procedure
· Ensuring vehicle and load security
· Employers’ duties
· Employees’ duties
· Road safety
· Controlling Drivers’ hours
· Driver licensing
· Driver CPC
Copacetic has teamed up with the NI team at Cycling UK to make a 15 minute road safety training sessions available for our clients and blog followers. The 15 minute course will teach drivers how they can best share the road with and protect cyclists while driving automobiles. All participants will receive a certificate. Start the Cycling training here.
Lisa Bloodworth, People & Safety Consultant
