Police forces have recently introduced new initiatives in their campaign to increase company bosses' awareness of the need to comply with Health & Safety at Work legislation in repect of Managing Occupational Road Risk.
If, after stopping a driver for a motoring offence, such as using a hand held mobile phone, they identify that the driver is 'Driving at Work ' they will begin a process of writing to the employer, which may then be followed up with a visit from a uniformed traffic officer for a meeting with a company Director. The officer will ask about their risk management strategy and request to see documentary evidence that H & S legislation in respect of 'Driving at Work' is being complied with by means of an adequate policy, driver risk assessments, procedures and training etc and, is being effectively managed.
Firms that fail or refuse to co-operate may be issued with and 'improvement notice' compelling them to take action. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, unlimited fines can be imposed on individual managers and the company in the crown court, while there is a ceiling of £20,000 in the magistrates court.
Police are not out to target businesses, but to encourage them to operate responsibly. Whilst the scheme is designed to make companies feel uncomfortable when not fufilling their responsibilties the Police point out that they will also be there to offer support and guidence.
A Health & Safety Executive spokesperson said employers had a 'duty of care' to take all reasonable and practical steps to ensure the health and safety of employees while at work and have a responsiblity to ensure that others are not put at risk by their work-related activities. "If an employer fails in that duty, there could be an issue of criminal liability"
The bottom line is that ANY EMPLOYEE driving at work in either a company vehicle: private vehicle or even a hired vehicle could now potentially be the cause of such a visit / investigation by the Police and possible also the HSE.
Thanks to RoSPA via RoadSafe News Letter
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