Driving for Better Business’ Post

#riskmanagement people, what are you doing to protect your company from non-owned or #greyfleet exposure? Find out if you have a #greyfleet and what obligations your company has to these employees. #fleetsafety #insurtech #distracteddriving

Do you have employees who drive a company vehicle? Do you have a policy that sets out your expectations? Recently, I’ve been assisting several clients with driving policies. Believe it or not, driving offences and misconduct related to driving are common issues I help address. Just this year, I have helped clients who have had employees who: ❌. Used the company vehicle to sleep in at night – because they didn’t realise that wasn’t allowed! ❌. Drove without a licence after being convicted of drink driving – because they hadn’t made clear they must be informed (even though you’d think this one was common sense right?!) ❌. Failed to inform their employer about receiving points on their licence, which invalidated their insurance – because they hadn’t been told that it would make a difference ❌. Went to the pub while on duty, then drove back to work with a colleague and crashed into a lamppost (all caught on dashcam footage) – because, well, no excuses for this one really, is there?! Having a comprehensive policy around company vehicles can set out your expectations, including: ✅. The requirement to inform you of any penalty points or convictions and stating that it is considered gross misconduct if they don’t. ✅. Clearly outlining what is and isn’t acceptable use of company vehicles. ✅. Setting out the company’s stance on tracking devices and dashcam footage. Yes, I know policies can be boring, but in this case, they could save you a whole heap of trouble by clearly outlining your expectations and the consequences of not following them. A driving policy can form part of the employment contract, be part of an employee handbook or as a standalone policy. If you want to ensure your driving policies are robust and effective, let’s have a conversation. Prevention is always better than cure. What are your thoughts? Have you encountered any driving-related issues in your company? 🤔 #MaydayHR #HRConsultingUK #Workplaceculture #ComprehensivePolicy #UKBusiness #HRConsultant

Do you have employees who drive a company vehicle? Do you have a policy that sets out your expectations? Recently, I’ve been assisting several clients with driving policies. Believe it or not, driving offences and misconduct related to driving are common issues I help address. Just this year, I have helped clients who have had employees who: ❌. Used the company vehicle to sleep in at night – because they didn’t realise that wasn’t allowed! ❌. Drove without a licence after being convicted of drink driving – because they hadn’t made clear they must be informed (even though you’d think this one was common sense right?!) ❌. Failed to inform their employer about receiving points on their licence, which invalidated their insurance – because they hadn’t been told that it would make a difference ❌. Went to the pub while on duty, then drove back to work with a colleague and crashed into a lamppost (all caught on dashcam footage) – because, well, no excuses for this one really, is there?! Having a comprehensive policy around company vehicles can set out your expectations, including: ✅. The requirement to inform you of any penalty points or convictions and stating that it is considered gross misconduct if they don’t. ✅. Clearly outlining what is and isn’t acceptable use of company vehicles. ✅. Setting out the company’s stance on tracking devices and dashcam footage. Yes, I know policies can be boring, but in this case, they could save you a whole heap of trouble by clearly outlining your expectations and the consequences of not following them. A driving policy can form part of the employment contract, be part of an employee handbook or as a standalone policy. If you want to ensure your driving policies are robust and effective, let’s have a conversation. Prevention is always better than cure. What are your thoughts? Have you encountered any driving-related issues in your company? 🤔 #MaydayHR #HRConsultingUK #Workplaceculture #ComprehensivePolicy #UKBusiness #HRConsultant

Employers, ensuring the safety of workers who drive for work is crucial!! Did you know that health and safety law applies to road activities just like it does on-site? It's essential to manage risks effectively to prevent injuries and improve overall well-being. This HSE guidance on managing health and safety risks for workers who drive as part of their job: https://buff.ly/3WaktED It outlines the importance of risk assessments covering journeys, drivers/riders, and vehicles, highlighting hazards like fatigue, road conditions, and time pressures. At Total Compliance, our Driver Assessments align with these guidelines, helping employers mitigate risks and enhance safety. Whether it's ensuring vehicle condition or reducing stress through better driving practices, we're here to support your health and safety efforts. Learn more about how our assessments can benefit your team: https://buff.ly/3WjBgTs 🌟 #HealthAndSafety #DriverAssessments #RoadSafety

In the first of two posts this month, we’re looking at driver safety. Show of hands: who thinks the standard of driving in general has dropped since the pandemic? Forgetting to indicate, impatient or careless driving, a general lack of courtesy to other drivers? Or is it just us? Well spare a thought for professional drivers, who day in, day out have to put up with below-par driving and abuse from other drivers on the road. We’re devoting our thoughts and delving into employer responsibilities to ensure company drivers are kept safe on our roads. Comprehensive guide from Peoplesafe: https://lnkd.in/e7kUpvrK #DriverSafety

You’d probably think that regular readers of Fleet News would have a driving for work policy for your organisation. Don’t they...? What about your organisation? If you do, when did you last review it? Has any legislation changed since you created it? Would it stand up to scrutiny if there was an investigation following a crash involving one of your people?  And if all employees in your company were asked about the driving for work policy: Do they know about it? Have they seen it? A comprehensive and current driving for work policy is the first essential step for any employer with staff who drive for work. Driving for Better Business has created a new, free online Driving for Work Policy Builder, to help you ensure you have a ‘good practice’ policy tailored to your own organisation. It will help employers create, review, store and update their own policy and it will cover all the key risks for managing policies: drivers, vehicles and journeys. Why you need a driving for work policy There are almost 40,000 injuries on Britain’s roads each year that involve someone who was driving for work. If you want to ensure your employees are not part of the problem, it’s vital to set out the importance of driver safety - and the standards you expect when your staff are driving for work. Read more on the link below - and if this makes you think about making a start on your own company policy or refreshing the one you have, sign up. Gareth Roberts Anne-Marie Penny DipASM MARRM ADRIAN walsh Sharon Mitchell Jim Magner FCILT, MARRM Tracy Thomas PG Dip DigM, F IDM Nigel Holmes Mark Cartwright https://lnkd.in/ecpv4Qyw

Safety Truth of the Week:   In 2022 (the most current complete data available), there were 2,066 fatal and 68,560 non-fatal workplace injuries attributed to vehicle accidents in the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), these incidents accounted for 38% of all occupational fatalities and approximately 3% of all non-fatal workplace injuries. Before you think that 3% isn’t much, there were 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries in the U.S. in 2022 meaning that the actual number of non-fatal workplace injuries attributed to vehicle accidents is 84,000.    Employers can implement several practical measures to reduce the risks of vehicle accidents in the workplace. Here are just a few: 1. Check and Monitor Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs): Regularly verify drivers' MVRs to ensure valid licenses and no outstanding violations. 2. Keep company vehicles well maintained: Implement daily pre-use inspections for all vehicles and have them serviced on schedule to keep them in peak operating condition. Address all identified issues immediately. 3. Implement a fleet telematics/driver management system: These systems may incorporate GPS tracking and camera monitoring to help identify deficiencies in driver skill and at-risk behaviors that need to be corrected. 4. Provide recurrent driver skills training: statistically drivers who participate in recurrent skills training tend to have a lower rate of driving incidents. There are several good training programs available; The Smith System (www.drivedifferent.com) and JJ Keller (www.jjkellertraining.com) are two of the highest rated. 5. Create and Implement a Distracted Driving Policy: Establish guidelines to minimize distractions while driving, such as avoiding phone use, eating, and adjusting radio settings while driving. 6. Enforce safety measures: Require employees to wear seatbelts at all times, obey traffic laws, and practice basic defensive driving skills. 7. Allow drivers to take breaks. Fatigue can contribute to accidents, so encourage rest breaks during long drives.   Remember, prioritizing safety benefits everyone on the road!

💡“Our Driving for Work Policy Builder has the potential to deliver a huge positive impact on how employers think about #driversafety – especially those, and there are many, that currently have no driver policy at all." Simon Turner MARRM MAFP via Fleet News If you have employees, the chances are a proportion will: 👉🏼drive a vehicle FOR work as part of their job 👉🏼drive while AT work, either regularly or occasionally 👉🏼drive on business between locations - at some point during their working day or night 👉🏼drive a private vehicle - theirs or someone else's while on business If you don't have a formal driving for work policy, you need one. Our National Highways Driving for Better Business policy template and builder is free: https://lnkd.in/d6_WQKzD Gareth Roberts Stephen Briers Mark Cartwright Becky Hadley Sharon Mitchell Jim Magner FCILT, MARRM Nigel Holmes Anne-Marie Penny DipASM MARRM Stuart Lovatt TyreSafe Mel Clarke Desiree 'Dezi' Li Ian Oliver

Q. Do any of your employees drive their own vehicles for work, or while at work - between locations for example? If so, you have a 'Grey Fleet' - and you need to cover it in your Driving for Work policies. ⚠️Even if an employee is driving a personal vehicle for work, you still need to show the same level of commitment to managing road risk and protecting the drivers’ #healthandsafety as you would for leased, company-owned or hired vehicles. A. More info on what you should include in your Safety Policies when it comes to vehicles and drivers, and of course a free policy template from the National Highways Driving for Better Business Programme here: https://lnkd.in/eQHCmwGk CLOCS Lightfoot CONVEY TECHNOLOGY LIMITED Towergate Insurance HR magazine HR Magazine HR Grapevine theHRDIRECTOR Personnel Today Management Today People Management magazine Aon HSE Global Series Karen Crispe FCILT Aaron Large Mark Cartwright Anne-Marie Penny DipASM MARRM Simon Turner MARRM MAFP Paul Clark Katie Clark Neale Kinnear #healthandwellbeing #managingrisk #safetypolicies #HumanResources

Why Building Strong Connections with Drivers is the Key to Safety in Trucking" Trust and Communication: A solid relationship fosters open lines of communication between management and drivers. When drivers feel heard and respected, they are more likely to report safety concerns, vehicle issues, or near misses without fear of repercussions. This proactive communication can prevent small problems from becoming larger safety hazards. Driver Buy-in for Safety Protocols: If drivers feel disconnected from management, they may view safety protocols as burdensome rather than essential. Establishing a connection helps drivers understand the importance of these procedures and ensures they follow them more consistently, contributing to a safer environment. Understanding Daily Challenges: Drivers face a range of on-the-road challenges, including fatigue, poor road conditions, and tight schedules. When management builds relationships with drivers, they gain insight into these daily realities, which helps in developing safety strategies that are practical and relevant. Mental and Emotional Well-being: Driving long hours in isolation can take a toll on mental health. Drivers who feel connected to their supervisors are more likely to share if they’re feeling overly stressed or fatigued, allowing management to intervene and prevent potential safety risks that arise from burnout or distraction. Safety Culture: Building a connection with drivers helps promote a culture of safety within the company. When drivers feel valued and know that their well-being is a priority, they are more likely to adopt and support a safety-first mentality. This collective commitment enhances overall safety performance. Feedback: Drivers are often the first to encounter safety risks on the road. A strong connection encourages them to provide feedback on what’s working or what needs improvement. This real-time feedback allows companies to adapt and improve safety practices in a dynamic and timely manner. In summary, a strong connection with drivers not only boosts morale but also creates an environment where safety is prioritized through open communication, mutual trust, and collaboration, leading to fewer incidents and a more secure work environment.