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As between 25%-33% of all road deaths are work-related, Lancashire County Council has developed an initiative to support organisations in Lancashire to enable them to manage their own occupational road risk. ‘Drive it Forward’ is an innovation of the County Council’s Road Safety Group. The initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage action on Managing Occupational Road Risk (MORR) with large employers and organisations with a Lancashire base. The initiative was devised in response to the Work-Related Road Safety Task Group report recommendations and was developed in consultation with Lancashire-based companies. Sitting comfortably within the Council’s own vision of ‘travelling easily and safely’, ‘Drive it Forward’ aims to: • support managers and offer guidance by providing a comprehensive Company Action Guide • establish a Managers’ Network, providing a forum for managers to share best practice • encourage companies and organisations to sign up to the ‘Drive it Forward’ initiative and be part of the Lancashire-wide ‘Together We Can Make the Difference’ road safety strategy.
Driver fatigue is one such road risk issue. The consequences of falling asleep at the wheel can be disastrous, as highlighted by the Selby Rail crash, where a driver plunged from the motorway on to the tracks below after apparently falling asleep at the wheel. The driver was imprisoned on 10 counts of death by dangerous driving. Both employees and employers need to be aware of the risks associated with such factors as lack of sleep, prolonged performance of a task and disruption of sleep patterns. With new legislation on mobile phones and driving, which came into force on 1 December 03, it is paramount that companies address the use of mobiles within their working practices. Motorists will now be fined £30 if caught driving while using a hand-held mobile phone. Do you have a company policy on using mobile phones when driving? If so, how is that policy monitored? Business Travel Plans help businesses promote alternative modes of travel and information on this is included within the Guide.
Neil Cunliffe, Road Safety Group Manager, explains: ‘With over 77,000 injuries to employees every year as a result of ‘at work’ road accidents, it is essential for employers to assess the risks that are posed to their drivers. Anyone who is driving for business purposes – not just people in company cars or wagons – opens up the company to increased liability. ‘The County Council is strategically placed to drive MORR forward with the businesses of Lancashire, while playing a major part in the contribution to the reduction of casualties on our roads.’ By signing up to ‘Drive it Forward’, managers receive a FREE copy of the Company Action Guide (a 13-section file) as well as a CD-Rom which can be used as a toolkit towards MORR. These guide both employers and employees in their assessment of their business activities on issues such as controlling drivers’ hours, specifying safest routes and driver assessments. ‘Drive it Forward’ companies can gain: 1. Membership to the Managers’ Network 2. Access to the ‘Drive it Forward’ website 3. Exclusive access to the managers’ forum, created to share best practice, ideas and solutions and will receive 4. A quarterly e-update that provides up-to-the-minute information on legislation and relevant data
One such company leading the way forward in risk management is Arriva North West and Wales – one of the largest bus operators in the area, running a network of over 200 routes. As a member of the Managers’ Network, Arriva North West have benefited from the Road Safety Group’s expertise and support. Andy McQueen for Arriva explains: ‘The safety of our employees and customers is paramount. We have worked with Lancashire County Council – and other local authorities – to improve road markings and safety both at junctions and bus stops to improve safety on our routes. ‘I attended the Road Safety Group’s ‘Drive it Forward’ launch seminar, which provided Arriva with an invaluable opportunity to gain ideas and information about work that is happening in our field. The speakers at the event were very informative and we took away ideas to further our work, with the Company Action Guide providing a useful reference document.’ For Arriva, the results of putting MORR into practice have been positive. Mr McQueen continues: ‘In Lancashire, the work of the Route Risk Group in Skelmersdale has reduced reported accidents – from minor knocks to road traffic accidents (RTAs) – by 33% month on month compared to last year. We have risk assessments in place on all our routes and aim to identify any potential road risks through regular meetings with our drivers and staff. With the help of the Road Safety Group we want to implement further road safety measures. We can do this by drawing the attention of all our drivers and customers to current developments in managing occupational road risk.’ The Road Safety Group has also profiled Arriva’s best practice in the quarterly e-update, highlighting their ‘Lights for Life’ campaign. Mr McQueen explains: ‘We have reduced accidents with the ‘Lights for Life’ campaign with all vehicles operating with dipped headlights at all times. This resulted in a large reduction in the number of accidents involving our buses. It is important that our buses are visible to all road users, particularly at this time of year with the darker conditions and poorer weather.’ By managing road risk a company can reduce the chance of death and injury for employees and other road users. Other benefits include: • increased productivity • reduced loss of customers • reduced absence of key employees • reduced insurance costs • improved profitability • saved lives The Road Safety Group is constantly striving to reduce road casualties on Lancashire’s roads and has recently gained the prestigious accreditation for delivering fleet training in Lancashire. Although still in its infancy, the Road Safety Group is proud to be one of just 16 accredited bodies throughout the whole of the UK to have achieved this status. The Group is currently delivering in-house training before offering this invaluable service to other Lancashire organisations. This service will provide a significant contribution to the national HSE objectives and therefore the health and safety of Lancashire’s employees by aiming to improve driving skills and reduce road casualties. If you are interested in Lancashire County Council’s ‘Drive it Forward’ initiative and would like to sign up and receive your FREE Company Action Guide, tel: 01772 532960 and quote “Roadsafe” or visit www.driveitforward.co.uk |
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