Page 48 - Linkline Spring 2017

Driving for Work – New Campaign Highlights Employers’ Responsibility
Employers have a duty of care for the health and safety of employees who use a vehicle during work according to a new campaign by the HSA, RSA and An Garda Síochána.
When we think of safety on the roads, issues like speed and drink driving usually spring to mind. But what we don’t consider are the day-to-day activities, like driving for work, that have their own safety concerns.
It’s estimated that one in three road collisions each year involve people who were driving for work. Last year alone, 63 people lost their lives as a result of work related accidents.
Now the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are targeting the issue with a new ‘Driving for Work’ campaign. Launched in February, it focuses on employers and their responsibility to ensure they have a driving for work policy in place to minimise the risks faced by their employees while on the road.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of employees who drive for work. While many employers are aware of this, a 2015 RSA survey of those who drive for work showed that 43% of them worked for a company that either had no driving for work policy or were unaware if one existed.
Driving for work is defined as any person driving on a public road as part of their employment, whether that’s in a company vehicle, their own vehicle or on a motorbike or bicycle. It includes professional drivers and those who drive as part of their job but does not include commuting, except where the person’s journey is from their home to a work location that is not their normal place of work.
Speaking in February at the launch of the ‘Driving for Work’ campaign Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of the RSA, stressed that those who drive for work are 40% more likely than other drivers to be involved in a collision. “Employers need to understand that they have a legal and moral responsibility towards employees who drive as part of their job. It is the employer’s responsibility to minimise all safety risks which could affect their employees while they drive for work.”
Central to the new campaign is a powerful television ad which shows people reacting to news that an employee or colleague has been involved in a fatal collision. From disbelief, “It was just a delivery; it’s what he does every day”, and shock about their responsibility, “How could this be my fault?” to upset, “This shouldn’t happen”, the ad runs the gamut of emotions when faced with a driving for work accident.
Ending with a clear message – “If you’re driving for work, you’re at work” – it’s hoped the ad will encourage employers to not only develop a driving for work policy but also ensure that it’s implemented correctly. “Employers are also required to provide employees with relevant safety instruction, information, and training to protect their safety, health and welfare”, says Martin O’Halloran, CEO of the HSA. “Proactively managing driving for work in your business will help to protect your workforce, and your business.”
A new video from the HSA highlights the dangers involved in driving for work to both employers and employees.
THE LAW: SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE AT WORK ACT 2005
Duty of Care
Employers have a duty to provide a safe place of work for their employees. A vehicle is defined as a place of work.
Employers have a duty to make sure:
• work related journeys are safe
• members of staff are able to drive safely
• all vehicles and vehicle equipment are fit for use
and in a safe condition.
Employers must have a safety statement in place which should:
• identify all possible hazards
• assess the risks to your employees’ safety, health
and welfare
• provide adequate controls to minimise risks.
Training
Companies must give employees proper information and training to protect their safety, health and welfare.
Liability
Company directors may be prosecuted following a work-related road collision if it is proven they have not managed safety properly.
There is also a duty of care to other road users and pedestrians who may be affected by an employee's work activities.
Safe Systems of Work
Proper systems of work should be put in place.
48 The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport
DRIVING FOR WORK