The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has published an updated guidance document for Irish employers on the topic of driving for work.
The document, which was co-developed by the HSA, An Garda Síochána, and the Road Safety Authority (RSA), aims to educate employers on the risks associated with driving for work, and provide information and methods for mitigating those risks.
The overarching message of the campaign is that “road safety is a shared responsibility”, and the vision is to “influence a sustainable reduction in the numbers of people killed and injured in work related road collisions and incidents.”
Driving for work is high-risk, and according to the European Transport Safety Council, as many as 40% of all work-related deaths are caused by accidents on the road. Additionally, research conducted by the RSA has found that 1 in 4 drivers involved in fatal collisions between 2019 and 2023 were driving for work at the time of the incident.
The Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021 – 2030 aims to reduce deaths and injuries associated with road collisions by 50% by 2030.
The guidance document provides a range of information for employers, including a list of legal obligations for both employees and employers, and detailed guidance on the following areas:
- “Legal duties relating to driving for work and fleet risk management,
- how to carry out a driving for work risk management gap analysis to identify areas for action,
- Key driving for work safety issues and risks,
- Keeping and maintaining records relating to risk management practices,
- How to embed driving for work risk management within the workplace,
- How to promote safe systems with those that drive for work, and
- Suggested risk management solutions and ways to help employers and workers use the roads safely for work.”
For those that manage employees who drive for work, it is important to familiarise yourself with this latest guidance and implement the relevant suggestions and strategies into your business’ safety management system. Conducting risk assessments, and taking action to mitigate those risks, is a crucial element of your Health & Safety duties as an employer.