Manager's & Health and Safety Rep's

Health and safety at work can be a minefield for companies, however most get it right in their primary business, but sadly many fall short in those areas of the business that fall outside the companies primary business. For example persons who drive company cars, small vans or who drive their own vehicles for a fuel and mileage consideration on behalf of the company.

My research has found that many managers, or health and safety representatives, are under the impression that because the driver has passed a driving test and holds a full licence this covers the company for HSE purposes, therefore the company has complied with their Duty of care.

Not so! It is the duty of the company to have all drivers, even those who drive only occasionally to be assessed and records kept in the HSE files to that effect. Your health and safety policy should also cover work related road safety, and this should be a written policy if you employ more than 5 people.

It has been estimated that a third of all road traffic collisions involve somebody who was at work at the time, responsible for up to 20 fatalities and 250 serious injuries per week.

A free PDF document called {Driving at work, managing work related road safety} with a lot of good advice and examples to guide you can be found by searching online for INDG.382.PDF. Having company car drivers assessed costs about the same as a pair of safety boots which are readily supplied to manual/site workers et al.

For more information on Assessments call now on:- 07801475959