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

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

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

Annual probability of occupational fatality Deep sea fishing1 in 750 Deep sea fishing1 in 750 Coal mining1 in 7100 Coal mining1 in 7100 Construction1 in Construction1 in Services industry1 in Services industry1 in Car driving >25000 miles/year 1 in 8000 Car driving >25000 miles/year 1 in 8000

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

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

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

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 £ = £3000

Legal Position

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. 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: Duty of care to provide employees with: safe plant and equipment safe plant and equipment Safe systems of work Safe systems of work Competent workers Competent workers Adequate instruction and supervision Adequate instruction and supervision Safe workplace and environment Safe workplace and environment

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. 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. The Regulations require you to periodically review risk assessments.

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

HSE Guidance The HSE has clarified employers requirements in guidance INDG382 Driving at Work: Managing work- related road safety bns/indg382.pdf bns/indg382.pdf

Development of a Policy

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

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

Risk Assessment

Identify significant risks Identify significant risks Identify persons affected Identify persons affected Identify necessary controls to mitigate or reduce risks Identify necessary controls to mitigate or reduce risks Prioritise control measures Prioritise control measures

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

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

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

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

Driver Training

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

Further Information

Information Sources HSE Work-related road safety website HSE Work-related road safety website RoSPA Road safety website RoSPA Road safety website Department for Transport Department for Transport ments/homepage/dft_home_page.hcsp ments/homepage/dft_home_page.hcsp Highway Code Highway Code