What is Occupational Road Risk?
Occupational road risk is being aware of the risks involved whilst driving for work.
The FACTS behind driving for work...
• Up to 1 in 3 crashes involves a vehicle being driven for work
• Every week, around 200 road deaths and serious injuries involve someone at work
• Nearly all of these deaths and injuries are preventable
• Business drivers have collision rates that are 30-
• For the majority of people, the most dangerous thing they do while at work is drive on a public highway (HSE 1996)
• Virtually all (95%) of road accidents involve some human error
Does this effect my business?
If you own or operate a business where you employ staff to drive as part of their job role, then the answer is YES!. Whether you supply a vehicle to your staff or they drive their own, your business is responsible for your employees safety whilst out driving for work.
Is your business breaking the law?
As mentioned above, if your business employs staff to drive as part of their job role, your business has an obligation under several Acts to provide regular driver assessments and driver training. The most relevant are:
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Corporate Homicide and Corporate Manslaughter Acts (April 2008)
• Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008
What are the consequences of not getting your employees driving assessed?
If your business does not comply with the relevant Acts this could result in:
• Potentially having to close down your business
• Unlimited fines
• Having to publicise nationally your failings (at your own expense)
• Imprisonment for failing to comply with relevant Acts
