Did you know that health and safety law applies to work activities on the road in the same way as it does to all work activities and employers and self-employed persons need to manage the risks to drivers.
Effective management of work-related road safety helps reduce risk. It could also result in, for example:
■ fewer injuries to drivers;
■ reduced risk of work-related ill health;
■ reduced stress and improved morale.
Assessing Risks on the Road
Employers/self-employed persons are responsible for assessing the risks to health and safety within their businesses. Below are some tips for employers/self-employed persons on how to complete a risk assessment for driving for work:
1. Identify the hazards
Look for hazards that may result in harm when driving on public roads. Remember to ask your employees, or their representatives, what they think as they will have first-hand experience of what happens in practice. The main areas to think about are the driver,
the vehicle and the journey.
2. Who might be harmed?
Decide who might be harmed and how. This will usually be the driver, but it might also include passengers, other road users and/or pedestrians. Also consider whether there are any groups who may be particularly at risk, such as those new to
the job and those driving long distances and working long hours.
3. Evaluate the risks
Having identified the hazards, decide how likely it is that harm will occur. You are not expected to eliminate all risks, but you must make sure you know about the main risks and how to manage them responsibly.
4. Record your findings
Record your significant findings – make it simple and focus on controls. If you have five or more employees, you are required by law to write it down.
5. Regularly review your risk assessment
It makes sense to review your risk assessment on a regular basis.
A check list can be viewed on the HSE’s website, or please feel free to contact us if you need any support in protecting your drivers.