Work Related Road Safety does not just apply to those people who drive as part of their job, but also everyone that manages drivers. On average 65% of all company vehicles will be involved in a collision over the next 12 months according to the AA.
Work Related Road Safety
As a manager of people who drive for work, are you aware of the legal requirements to safeguard your employees?
Have you considered the safety and wellbeing of employees who drive for work purposes – whether in company vehicles or their own, if they claim mileage or are paid while driving, they are ‘driving for work’.
UK law requires employers to treat driving, riding or otherwise using the road for work, the same as any other health and safety risk. They must conduct suitable risk assessments and take all ‘reasonably practicable measures’ to manage the risks. For further information, visit RoSPA’s Occupational Road Safety website.
Cornwall’s Prevention and Road Safety team provides information, advice and free resources to help employers to understand and manage the risks faced, and created, by their staff when they use the road as part of their work. It also provides advice and resources to help individuals who use the road as part of their job.
How can we help?
- Help in putting together a Work Related Road Safety policy, giving advice, recommendations and providing sample policies
- Provide posters (paper or digital) and other resources to raise awareness of road safety
- Host an awareness day at your offices, engaging with passing people, with our range of interactive activities and videos
- Host workshops and speak to your staff, increasing their knowledge and awareness of road safety and small changes they can make to keep them safer
Is it necessary?
Driving is the most dangerous work activity that most people do, and very few organisations operate without using motor vehicles.
Within Cornwall, 25% of the people killed or seriously injured in the period 2009-2013 were driving for work at the time.
It also isn’t necessarily the stereotypical white van at the cause of this: cars and car-derived vans are the highest risk category.
Free Workshops
Cornwall’s Prevention and Road Safety team offer completely free workshops to local businesses.
These workshops are not going to tell you how to drive, or lecture on what you should or shouldn’t do. Almost all drivers know what they should or shouldn’t do, yet collisions still occur. There is something preventing the driver from behaving in the way they intend. Whether this is peer pressure, perceived work pressure or something else influencing them.
The workshops are an opportunity to take a moment to think about how you drive, what may affect your driving behaviour, and to consider some strategies to overcome these.
The sessions are very interactive, with short activities, videos and discussions. They are informal, and typically last between 1 hour and 1½ hours.
Simply contact us using the details below.
Further information and downloads
Protecting your business is our business and it’s free.
If you would like to access any of our services please contact the road safety team on 01872 327340. Alternatively email: prevention@fire.cornwall.gov.uk
Further information
Whether its commuting, popping to the shops, taking the kids out or going to work, travelling is an essential part of personal, family and work life for millions of us. It can be enjoyable and pleasant, but it can also be stressful and dangerous. View Rospa's free resources which provide advice and guidance on how we can travel safely.
