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Volvo Car UK Human Resources Manager, Tom Russell believes that an increasing emphasis on the regulations governing workplace health and safety means that companies can no longer afford to ignore their responsibilities towards company drivers. “The issue of corporate liability for driver safety is being given a far greater focus by the Government. Companies need to ensure not only that their drivers are trained to the highest possible standard but also be certain that existing policies comply with Government imposed standards. “At Volvo we have always had a very strong health and safety ethos and are committed to staff safety. The introduction of a company wide programme ‘Driving Safely’ has helped ensure that driver safety and training is taken seriously,” continues Tom. Introduced earlier this year, ‘Driving Safely’ is designed to encourage safer driving and reduce accident frequency. A key element of the overall programme is a combination of theoretical and practical driver training delivered by RAC Risk Management. As part of the driving training programme, high mileage fleet drivers and board members will receive an in-vehicle training session carried out by an RAC trainer in their own vehicle on roads that are familiar to them. All other employees and fleet drivers will undertake a 'classroom' based theoretical training session concentrating on basic driver awareness, risk perception and hazard awareness. Each classroom session uses interactive presentations, open discussions and interactive hazard perception technology. For staff who need to be more flexible with their time RAC also offers Volvo employees an interactive CD rom self study disc. As well as helping to ensure that Volvo Car UK is complying with current health and safety, legal and environmental responsibilities, the results of the training courses will have both direct and indirect cost savings at all levels. Commenting on the benefits, Tom says: “The driver training programme hasn’t been running for long but we hope to see a drop in the accident rate. Long term this should cut direct costs such as vehicle repair and indirect costs such as driver ‘downtime’ and the cost of replacement vehicles. Ultimately, this will lead to reduced claims costs and lower premiums.” Apart from the long term financial savings, Tom believes that driver training leaves companies less exposed to the threat of legislation. “Welfare of employees and workplace safety should always be the priority but the growing emphasis on the issue of corporate liability has made staff safety training even more essential. Driver training should always play an integral part of any risk management strategy.” |
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