Risk Management - Driving at Work

Risk management is a topic which most businesses have encountered in one form or another in recent years. Now, all businesses must give it serious consideration in terms of their Fleet Management activities and the risks to which their employees are exposed whilst driving at work.

Because of the wider consequences to a business if the safety of its staff is ignored or handled incorrectly, risk management is a topic which is essential not just for fleet managers but for HR managers, finance directors, company chief executives and managing directors. It is also one in which employees and unions will almost certainly take an increasing interest. The penalty for ignoring it could be a large fine, not to mention the bad publicity for the business as well as reduced staff morale.

The Department for Transport and the Health and Safety Executive have recently published ‘Driving at work – Managing work-related safety’. Their declared aim is to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries by reducing the number of driving related accidents occurring at work. This whole area is now receiving increased attention from all the relevant authorities, including police forces across the country. In the event of an employee being involved in a road traffic accident whilst driving on business, an employer must be able to show that all relevant steps have been taken.