Driving for work – revised guidance
The Health and Safety Executive launched its improved and expanded guidance for the way we use commercial vehicles today, at The Health and Safety Event 2021 at the NEC, Birmingham. The guidance will be delivered by a new dynamic website delivering resources for those who manage drivers.
The Health & Safety Event partnered with the National Highways Driving for Better Business campaign to deliver the new Driver Safety Zone. This zone hosted a series of presentations and expert panels to share essential information and resources with safety professionals who have responsibility for work-related road risk.
Collaborating with the Health and Safety Executive as well as a number of specialist partners, these presentations included a session called ‘What is work-related road risk?’ followed by a presentation on the changes in official guidance on the safe management of those who drive or ride for work, delivered by Kanwal Kanda – Head of Transport Sector, Health and Safety Executive.
New HSE website and guidance
The newly launched website will make the guidance from the Health and Safety Executive easier to access for those who use commercial vehicles – its content will be relevant to any employer with employees who drive, or ride a motorcycle or bicycle at work. It also applies to those using their own vehicle for a work-related journey. It will be particularly valuable to those responsible for fleet management of course.
What this means for fleet managers
Assessing risks on the road is an essential part of the role for all of us involved in managing those who drive for work. As an employer or self-employed person, you are responsible for assessing the risks to health and safety in your business. The Health and Safety Executive guidance states that risk assessment for any work-related driving activity should follow the same principles as for any other work activity. You can delegate the task, but you will need to make sure it is carried out by someone who:
■ is competent to do so (has the right skills, knowledge and experience);
■ involves your workers in the process;
■ understands when specialist help may be needed.
The Driving for Better Business programme offers resources that can help you with each of these areas. A good place to start is with our online Gap Analysis and Benchmarking tools which will enable you to establish where you are now, and what you need to do to get where you need to be.
Free summary of the HSE guidance
You can register on our website for the video recordings of the full programme of events at the Driver Safety Zone this week, as well as sign up to receive the session recordings and our free summary of what the HSE guidance means for you and your organisation.
Simon Turner
Campaign Manager
Driving for Better Business
