The importance of assessment and training for people who drive as part of their job is stressed in new guidance from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. With driving now recognised as the most dangerous work activity that most people do, RoSPA says that businesses and organisations need to have procedures in place to monitor drivers and ensure training is provided where necessary. The Department for Transport supports the Society’s latest document Driving for Work: Driver Assessment and Training. It should be essential reading for all those with responsibilities for managing occupational drivers and company car and van fleets. People who drive for work have a higher accident risk than the general driving population, and company car drivers are 49 per cent more likely to be involved in an accident than ordinary motorists. Driver Assessment and Training gives simple advice on how employers and line managers can select, assess, train and supervise staff who drive for work in order to reduce the risk that they face and create for others. Although employees who drive will have passed a driving test, employers should still assess them to determine their competence to undertake safely the sort of driving their job requires and to identify those who are at the highest risk. This will help in working out if training or support is needed and what type would be most appropriate and cost effective. The document is available free from the Road Safety Department, RoSPA, 353 Bristol Road, Birmingham B5 7ST, or can be downloaded from RoSPA’s website at http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting