The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Department for Transport (DfT) has published updated guidance on work related road risk for employers and workers (WRRR).
It comes as the result of some confusion over where responsibility for legal compliance lies because of the gig economy and the increasing use of personal vehicles for work purposes – the so-called "grey fleet".
Facts and figures
Driving for work is one of the most dangerous activities most workers will ever undertake:
Driver and employer responsibility
All drivers and riders have an individual responsibility for their driving behaviour under road traffics laws. However, when driving for work, the organisation they work for has a legal responsibility for their employees’ health and safety.
For example, ensuring employees do not drive an excessive number of hours and checking their vehicle is properly maintained, even if it belongs to the employee.
In recent years there have been significant developments in vehicle driving and monitoring technologies, employment status and driving practices. The updated guidance is informed by HSE research which included a literature review, survey and interviews with those working in the sector.
The new webpages explain the responsibilities of anyone who engages workers to drive or ride for work, whether in an HGV, van, car or on a two-wheeled vehicle. The guidance covers health and wellbeing as well as safety.
Potential consequences
Prosecutions for work related driving offences could lead to significant fines and custodial sentences, as well as driving bans and/or operator licences being revoked.
In 2020, a company found guilty of failing to effectively manage fatigue for their employees driving for work, was fined £450,000 and ordered to pay £300,000 costs after two men lost their lives in a motorway collision.
HSE comment
HM Inspector for HSE’s Transport and Public Services Unit, Nicola Jaynes, commented:
"The Health and Safety at Work Act sets out the legal duties of employers and those engaged to work for them, their responsibilities to manage WRRR are nothing new. However, the landscape is changing and we wanted to ensure guidance reflects these changes and also remains relevant for years to come.
"Companies who otherwise have robust health and safety policies sometimes fail to consider their responsibilities adequately when it comes to driving or riding for work. Everyone should come home from work safe and well, whether they’re working behind a desk or behind the wheel."
She added, "The shocking number of injuries and fatalities associated with driving for work demonstrates that more needs to be done to manage WRRR. This updated guidance will give employers the guidance they need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their drivers and riders. Organisations with a positive safety culture and clear, well managed policies for driving and riding for work can have a significant influence keeping our roads safe for everybody."
For more information, see:
