Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

9.7.3 Managing occupational road risks
Where work-related road safety is integrated into the 
arrangements for managing health and safety at work, 
it can be managed effectively. The main areas to be 
addressed are, policy, responsibility, organization, sys-
tems and monitoring. Employees should be encouraged 
to report all work-related road incidents and be assured 
that punitive action will not be taken against them?
The risk assessment should:
➤
consider the use, for example, of air or rail transport 
as a partial alternative to driving
Figure 9.8
Occupational road risk.

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Movement of people and vehicles – hazards and control
139
➤
attempt to avoid situations where employees feel 
under pressure
➤
make sure that maintenance work is organized to 
reduce the risk of vehicle failure
➤
insist that drivers and passengers are adequately 
protected in the event of an incident. Crash helmets 
and protective clothing for those who ride motor-
cycles and other two-wheeled vehicles should be of 
the appropriate colour and standard.
➤
ensure that company policy covers the important 
aspects of the Highway Code.
9.7.4 Evaluating the risks
The following considerations can be used to check on 
work-related road safety management
The driver
Competency
➤
Is the driver competent, experienced and capable of 
doing the work safely?
➤
His or her licence valid for the type of vehicle to be 
driven? 
➤
Is the vehicle suitable for the task or is it restricted 
by the driver’s licence?
➤
Does recruitment procedure include appropriate 
pre-appointment checks?
➤
Is the driving licence checked for validity on recruit-
ment and periodically thereafter?
➤
When the driver is at work, is he or she aware of 
company policy on work-related road safety?
➤
Are written instructions and guidance available?
➤
Has the company specifi ed and monitored the stand-
ards of skill and expertise required for the circum-
stances for the job?
Training
Are drivers properly trained?
➤
Do drivers need additional training to carry out their 
duties safely?
➤
Does the company provide induction training for 
drivers?
➤
Are those drivers whose work exposes them to the 
highest risk given priority in training?
➤
Do drivers need to know how to carry out routine 
safety checks such as those on lights, tyres and 
wheel fi xings?
➤
Do drivers know how to adjust safety equipment cor-
rectly, for example seat belts and head restraints?
➤
Is the headrest 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) behind the driv-
er’s head?
➤
Is the front of the seat higher than the back and are 
the legs 45º to the fl oor?
Figure 9.9
Must have a licence valid for vehicle.

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