Up to one third of all road collisions in Ireland involve drivers using their vehicles for work, according to a new report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). This means more than 76 people die in work-related road crashes in Ireland each year. The RSA and HSA work to make employers aware of their responsibility to ensure the safety of their staff on the roads.
Studies show people who drive company cars have between 30% and 40% more collisions than ordinary drivers, with the risk increasing for those driving over and this risk increases for those who drive more than 40,000 kms (24,855 miles) in one year. Vehicle accidents are the biggest cause of work-related deaths and a significant contributor to work-related injuries.
Studies show people who drive company cars have between 30% and 40% more collisions than ordinary drivers, with the risk increasing for those driving over and this risk increases for those who drive more than 40,000 kms (24,855 miles) in one year. Vehicle accidents are the biggest cause of work-related deaths and a significant contributor to work-related injuries.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 an employer has a duty to protect the health and safety of staff who drive for work. Driving for work includes any person who drives on a road as part of their work (not including commuting) in either a company vehicle or their own vehicle and receiving an allowance from their employer for miles driven.
The HSA safety campaign, supported by a national radio advertising, is asking employers to use the RSA’s and HSA’s “Driving for Work Guidelines” to help in implementing safe driving policies in the workplace.
According to Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority, “The driving for work guidelines will assist employers in managing their staff’s road safety. It provides an overview of legislation, how to carry out risk assessments and highlights the significant benefits for businesses and the wider community when work-related road safety is managed effectively.
“Managing staff safety, while driving for work, makes good business sense, especially in the current economic climate as it protects staff and business profits. For example, for every €1 claimed on insurance, arising from work-related road incidents, companies may have to pay a further €8 to €36 for uninsured losses,” Brett said.
Martin O’Halloran, CEO, Health and Safety Authority, added, “All employers are required by health and safety laws to put proper measures in place to protect the safety of all their employees. Particularly concerning is that 42% of Irish businesses have no driving for work policy as part of their health and safety management system. A 2008 Health and Safety Authority survey of businesses also found that there was a lack of awareness of their duties to manage work-related driving activities.”(workersxzcompxzkit)
The guidelines, published in CD Rom format are available free of charge and can be downloaded http://www.rsa.ie and http://www.hsa.ie/eng/
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