Employers are responsible for employees who operate fleet vehicles at work. To meet this requirement that companies owe a duty of care, we list below the 10 essential elements that are designed to assist. These are:

(Management Policy)

• To elect a senior manager with the responsibility specifically to manage driving at work for fleet drivers.
• If not already implemented, a Health and Safety policy that incorporates a driving at work policy.
• Regularly undertake, act and record on all findings of risk assessments dealing with all areas of driving at work including (but not limited to) vehicle safety, journey planning and driver safety.
• Ensuring that all incidents, however trivial, involving any motorized vehicle driven or operated on behalf of the company is reported and recorded so that this data can be used to reduce recurrences.

(Driver Safety)

• To provide a road safety guidance handbook for drivers that sets out the responsibilities of drivers and the emphasis supporting the Companies procedures and policies. An example would be what to do in the event of an accident.
• To ensure that each and every employee driving on behalf of the company are individually vetted from the outset and regularly assessed to continually establish that they are properly licensed, suitably trained, competent to an acceptable level and, of course are medically fit to carry on their job.

(Vehicle Safety)

• When buying or leasing vehicles to be used on behalf of the company, ensuring that the choice of vehicle is fit for their intended purpose and with a clear emphasis that safety features are a priority.
• Any vehicles that are used on behalf of the company are regularly serviced and maintained according to the manufacturers servicing schedules and in accordance with any Operators Licence requirements. In addition, vehicles should be regularly checked for the those parts that wear outside of scheduled servicing such as tyres, light bulbs and chips in windscreens.

(Journey Planning)

• Ascertain whether a road journey is absolutely necessary.  Where practical, encourage the use of other modes of transport or communication. Would it be more cost effective to make a conference call?
• To ensure that each and every journey is realistically scheduled and, crucially, planned in advance to take into account for the requirement to take rest periods.

For professional advise or a quotation on all types of motor fleet insurance contact our commercial insurance department on 0844 477 9805. Fleet policies available for car, coach, bus, van and haulage vehicles for all types us businesses including commercial travelling, courier, taxi, coach, and haulage contractors.