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Health and safety campaign aims to safeguard at-work drivers

29 September 2011

With an estimated 540 individuals killed in road accidents involving at-work drivers last year, a new campaign has been launched.

The initiative is the brainchild of the Fleet Safety Forum and is supported by integrated service provider Colas, highlighting the importance of adhering to speed limits, being sober behind the wheel, ensuring eyesight is good and wearing seatbelts, among other issues.

Entitled Pledge2DriveSafely, it is urging those who drive for work to ensure they do so with "the utmost care and attention" to protect themselves and other road users.

The forum, which is part of road safety charity Brake, is providing sessions about safe motoring for fleet and driver training managers in order to enhance standards and reduce the number of people dying on UK roads from accidents involving at-work drivers, a figure currently exceeding ten per week.

Lee Rushbrooke, Colas Chief Executive, explained a similar project has seen "the number of road crashes involving our company vehicles reduce by approximately 40 per cent over the past decade".

It is the responsibility of employers in the UK to adhere to health and safety standards relating to members of staff who use vehicles as part of their jobs.

The Department for Transport is responsible for the administration of road traffic legislation in this area, including the need for vehicles being used for work to be regularly examined for roadworthiness and enforcement of regulations.

In addition, the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 places a requirement on bosses to ensure employees are adequately protected when driving for their role, as well as other people who might be on the road at the same time.

Managers must take "all reasonable steps" to safeguard their staff members on highways and the Fleet Safety Forum is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to providing information and advice to employers and those who driver for work. It is supported by Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services.