Occupational Road Risk

1. Occupational Road Risk Health and safety issues for vehicles and drivers Mike Lewis MIOSH, RSP

2. Introduction • For the majority of us, the most dangerous thing we do is drive on the public highway

3. Accident Statistics (UK 2003) • 3,508 persons killed • 33,707 seriously injured • 254,000 slightly injured • 30% of the above fatalities and serious injuries related to driving at work

4. Annual probability of occupational fatality • Deep sea fishing 1 in 750 • Coal mining 1 in 7100 • Construction 1 in 10000 • Services industry 1 in 150000 • Car driving >25000 miles/year 1 in 8000

5. Road Traffic Accident - Definition • A rare, random, multifactor event where one or more road users have failed to cope with their environment.

6. Multi Factor Event • Road and environmental deficiencies • Misleading visual situation • Bad/negligent design • Vehicle defects • Defective brakes • Defective tyres • Road user error • 95% RTA’s involve human error

7. Types of Error • Driver actions • Driving too fast • Failure to give way • Irresponsible or aggressive behaviour • Perceptual • Inattention • Failure to see • Misjudgement • Impairment • Under the influence of alcohol/drugs • fatigue

8. Road Accident Costs Figures from RAC (2005) • Direct Cost • The average repair costs is estimated as £750 • Indirect Cost • i.e.non recoverable insurance excess, replacement vehicle costs, employee absence, missed appointments & deliveries, administration etc. are estimated as being four times the direct cost (4x £750 = £3000) • Total Cost • £750 + 2250 = £3000

9. Legal Position

10. Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 • Employers are required to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees while at work. • Duty of care to provide employees with: • safe plant and equipment • Safe systems of work • Competent workers • Adequate instruction and supervision • Safe workplace and environment

11. Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 • Requirement under Regulation 3 to carry out assessment of risks to employees and others affected by their work activities. • The Regulations require you to periodically review risk assessments.

12. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 • Majority of RTA’s come under the Road Traffic Act. • RIDDOR only applies to accidents on the road involving: • Loading or unloading vehicles • Working alongside the road • Exposed to a substance being carried on a vehicle • Involving a train

13. HSE Guidance • The HSE has clarified employers requirements in guidance INDG382 Driving at Work: Managing work-related road safety www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg382.pdf

14. Development of a Policy

15. What should be in the policy? • Commitment • Organisation • roles and responsibilities • Arrangements • Driver selection, driver training • Vehicle selection, vehicle safety • Restrictions and control of use • Maintenance and servicing • Provision of information • Accident investigation and analysis • Monitoring and Review

16. Policy Implementation • Procedures and work instructions • Staff/driver handbooks • Induction courses • Training sessions • Briefing sessions

17. Risk Assessment

18. Risk Assessment • Identify significant risks • Identify persons affected • Identify necessary controls to mitigate or reduce risks • Prioritise control measures

19. Control Measures • When considering control measures you should look at three individual areas i.e. • The Journey • The Vehicle • The Driver

20. The Journey • Eliminate unnecessary journeys • Consider other modes of transport • Control drivers hours/reduce night driving • Utilise the safest routes • Avoid driving in adverse weather • Consider travellers when planning times and locations of meetings etc. • Encourage breaks in long journeys, over night stops, vehicle sharing etc. • Consider the whole journey – long haul flights

21. The Vehicle • Vehicle selection • Safety features e.g. airbags, cargo nets etc. • Suitability • Use of own vehicles - roadworthiness • Restriction on high powered or 4x4 off road vehicles etc. • Routine maintenance and servicing • Driver safety checks • Procedure for reporting defects

22. The Driver • Driver selection • Aptitude and attitude • Age and competence - valid licence? • Previous accident history • Driver fitness • Pre-employment medical checks, eyesight checks • Physical and mental well being • Driver improvement • Driver guidance • Dealing with emergencies • Alcohol and drugs • Use of mobile phones whilst driving • Lone females • Impact of incentive schemes on driving behaviour

23. Driver Training

24. Driver Training • As with any training, driver training should be suitable and sufficient and appropriate to the risk. • Induction training • Additional training may be required to carry out duties safely • Refresher training may be required if employee has a poor accident history • Behavioural aspects • Specialist training in defensive driving

25. Further Information

26. Information Sources • HSE Work-related road safety website http://www.hse.gov.uk/roadsafety/ • RoSPA Road safety website • http://www.rospa.co.uk/roadsafety/index.htm • Department for Transport http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_control/documents/homepage/dft_home_page.hcsp • Highway Code • www.highwaycode.gov.uk