Work Related Traffic Accidents
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IN THIS ISSUE |
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WELCOME |
Health and Safety is not only concerned with high profile accidents or high risk industries. It applies to everyone whatever our job entails and however mundane.
In this issue, therefore, I want to draw your attention to something that has been occupying government thinking for some years - namely the high number of people who are injured and killed in road traffic accidents whilst at work.
Apart from the human tragedy associated with road accidents, there are many other costs that have to be borne by the employers of those who are injured (and anyone else who may be involved in the accidents). Consequently, it behoves all of us to respond to the government's concern and do all we can to reduce this carnage on our roads.
David Skews, (CEO)
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WORK RELATED TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS |
Following a report produced by an independent task group to look at work-related road safety, the Health and Safety Executive has recently published new guidance for companies who have employees driving vehicles as part of their work. That must include the vast majority of companies with 5 or more staff.
The investigations of the task group and publication of the new guidelines were part of the government's strategy statement, back in 2000, to reduce road deaths and injuries over the following ten years.
These are Serious Risks
Although road accidents may not be the most prominent aspect of safety at work, the statistics make sobering reading. At present, work related road accidents account for about 1000 deaths a year (which is about one third of all road traffic incidents). Of course, not all the people who die are drivers. Many of them may be struck by a vehicle when working on or near roads, such as construction workers, police, postal workers or refuse collectors. Whatever their roles, however, it is still tragic when anyone loses their life in the course of their normal work.
One clear message from the task group is that there is no need for additional legislation to assist the government's strategy of reducing deaths and injuries - existing health and safety law is quite sufficient. What is required, however, is for employers to take driving risks seriously enough to ensure they are fully integrated with their existing health and safety arrangements - hence the HSE's guidance booklet.
Addressing the Risks
Much of the guidance is concerned with how to address the issues and, as we have so often re-iterated in these articles, it is more or less the same advice as for any other form of risk. It starts with ensuring the risk is recognised in your policy statement and that you have the necessary organisational arrangements in place. This might include, for example, making adequate provision for vehicle maintenance and ensuring there are arrangements in place that encourage those at risk to report any incidents that occur, without fear of being penalised.
The reasons for driving vary widely from organisation to organisation and therefore identification of the hazards, and assessment of risks is vitally important so that effective precautions can be put in place.
Training is Important
An important arrangement is the provision of training. There are the more obvious aspects that apply to any driver such as basic driver competence, what to do in the case of a breakdown or how to drive in adverse weather conditions. However, in regard to work, there may be other aspects peculiar to your business that need to be covered such as how to balance and secure loads or limitations imposed by the height of a vehicle. It is a surprising fact that there are between 3 and 6 significant incidents of vehicles striking bridges every day.
Whatever arrangements you put in place, it is vital to monitor their effectiveness. After all, you don't need to be in a high risk industry to suffer a driving accident. Traffic related hazards bring risks of serious injury or even death to almost every business.
Additional Information
You can view or download the government's 'Driving at Work' guidance booklet as an Adobe Acrobat pdf file Here
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David Skews, (CEO)
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EDP Health Safety & Environment Consultants Ltd
Lakeside, Alexandra Park, Prescot Road, St. Helens, Merseyside, UK
Telephone: +44(0)1744 766000
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