| ARE
YOU RESPONSIBLE?
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| Driving risks should be managed within a
health and safety management system. Companies also have
a responsibility to ensure that others are not put at
risk by work related driving activities. It is officially
estimated that a third of UK road accidents concern
business drivers, involving some 20 fatalities and 250
serious injuries every week.
New HSE guidelines warn that under such circumstances
liability could focus on the company.
The HSE could prosecute the company,
and an individual manager, with unlimited fines in court.
At the discretion of the police
and the Crown Prosecution Service seperate charges of
individual or corporate manslaughter could be brought
with jail terms then a possibility.
But companies will have a defence if they have a proper
risk assessment management policy and took reasonable
and practical steps to limit the risk. They are also
expected to consult the drivers and, where applicable,
their health and safety representatives on the issues
involved.
Surveys have shown that by far the most effective form
of training is one-to-one practical lessons and assessments
as provided by our specialist DSA registered instructors.
All our instructors are quick to put drivers at their
ease and come to your premises to train your employees.
Such training is most cost effective.
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| MANY
BENEFITS FOR YOU AND YOUR STAFF
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| The HSE describes the benefits for firms
prudent enough to set up and maintain a work related road
safety policy as considerable.
Better control over costs
such as wear and tear and fuel usage
of insurance premiums, legal fees
claims from employees and third parties
Other Benefits
- fewer days lost due to injury.
- reduced risk of work related ill health.
- less investigation and paperwork.
- less time lost due to work rescheduling.
- fewer vehicles needing repair .
- reduced running costs through better driving standards.
- fewer missed orders and opportunities.
- less chance of losing customer goodwill
- less chance of key employees being banned from driving
- promoting sound health and safety driving may well
spill over into leisure time driving, reduced chances
of staff being injured in a crash outside work.
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| THE
WAY AHEAD
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| Despite the clear implications for company
liability if an under trained employee is involved in
an accident, some employers fear that an effective work
related road safety policy could be too costly.
We strongly disagree. And the consequences for not
having such a policy would be dire...
The true cost of accidents is nearly always higher
than repairs and insurance claims. The consequences
for small businesses and the self-employed are proportionately
greater than for a large business with more resources.
So, as we indicated at the outset: "When you see
what's coming up behind can you afford not to adjust
to the road ahead?"
To set up a no-obligation meeting to discuss your company's
risks, needs and driver requirements do please give
us a call. |
