Essential Duty of Care: Key Points

• It is crucial that the company health and safety ethos is introduced to new employees and drivers as quickly as possible. It should form an integral part of employee induction.
• It is essential that a complete record of accidents is maintained within the organisation, or through an accident management services company.
• The nature of accidents, the frequency and the responsibility must all be carefully analysed.
• Each driver must hold a valid drivers licence. We recommend that this is included in the employee’s contract of employment.
• We also recommend that regular checks on driving licences are conducted i.e. obtain photo-copies of driving licences perhaps once a year (including all family drivers).
• It is important that the organisation ensures that every driver is medically capable of driving a vehicle on the road. Medical checks can help this process.
• Drivers eyesight should also be checked on a regular basis.
• Make sure that lines of communication are clear and that the organisation’s safety policy is widely available and has been issued to every driver.
• Make sure all drivers know their responsibilities and that they are capable of carrying out simple safety checks such as oil, water and tyre pressure checks.

Along with the Department for Transport, the Health and Safety Executive have published guidance on work-related road safety, entitled Driving at Work. This is an excellent publication and is essential reading for every fleet decision maker and fleet manager.

According to this booklet, some of the key questions you must ask are:

• Are drivers capable of doing their work in a way that is safe for them and other people?
• Are you satisfied that drivers are properly trained?
• Are you sure that drivers are sufficiently fit and healthy to drive?
• Are vehicles fit for the purpose for which they are used?
• Are vehicles properly maintained?
• Is safety equipment properly fitted and maintained?
• Do drivers have access to information that will help them reduce risks?
• Do drivers plan their routes and more importantly, are work schedules or delivery schedules realistic?
• Is sufficient time allowed to complete journeys safely?
• Are you satisfied that drivers will not be put at risk from fatigue caused by driving excessive distances without appropriate breaks?
• Is sufficient consideration given to the effects that weather conditions will have on journey times e.g. snow or high winds?

 

	The Law		Key Points
	Developing Duty of Care		Driver Training
	Car Checks		Speeding
	Private Cars		Mobile Phones
	Risk Assessment		Sources of Information