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As a business owner or fleet manager it is essential that you are aware of (and take steps to eliminate) the hazards and risks in a workplace.
If you are considering introducing new vehicles your Health and Safety requirements should be identified before any changes are made. You must also ensure that you are up to date regarding any legislations that apply to your employees (e.g. regarding smoking in vehicles).
The importance of a risk assessments:
A risk assessment is the careful examination of the potentially harmful aspects of the workplace. They should be thorough and accurate, helping to identify whether enough has been done to prevent your employees from harm. Once a risk assessment has been carried out it will be used to decide what is ‘reasonable practicable’, by helping you evaluate how serious or probable risks are vs. how much effort and cost is necessary to control them.
So how do you carry out a risk assessment?
Workplace risk assessments aren’t necessarily complicated or technical. In fact, they often fit within most employers normal work duties. For example, If you hire a new driver you would identify how much information, instruction or training they will require to carry out their job without causing accidents. By recognising that there are risks associated with new drivers and deciding precautions to take you are both carrying out a risk assessment, and acting upon it.
If your organisation has five or more employees (including managers) you must make a record of any significant findings from risk assessments.
The HSE recommend the following five-step process to carry out a risk assessment:
By law, all employers must ensure that work equipment (this includes vehicles) is maintained, in efficient working order and in good repair. This should be done through regular inspection and maintenance, both planned and immediate.
Check your cars or vans daily:
Employees will require instruction/training on carrying out appropriate checks and reporting any problems. Drivers should check tyres, lights and indicators at the start of each shift. Employers may find it helpful to give drivers a list of daily checks to sign off for their vehicles.
Carry out regular preventative maintenance inspections:
Planned preventative maintenance will help prevent failures during operating the vehicle. Each vehicle you purchase or hire should come with a handbook, providing manufacturer’s guidance on regular maintenance. These inspections should be thorough, and the frequency will be based on time or vehicle mileage (If you’re uncertain of how frequently your vehicles need to be inspected please do not hesitate to give us a call).
A preventative maintenance inspection will review the overall health of the vehicle, paying special attention to the following:
Want to ensure optimum safety for your workforce?
If you’re looking to implement preventative vehicle maintenance A&D Group can build you a bespoke solution. We will tailor our service packages to your vehicle types (both class 4 and 7), mileage, fleet size and budget. To discuss what A&D Group can do for you please do not hesitate to contact us.
For assistance with Health and Safety legislation The HR Dept has their own qualified Health and Safety team to advise clients. They take the hassle away with a pragmatic, down to earth approach. Whilst still ensuring you meet all current legislation.
The content for this blog was kindly provided by Susan Beeby at the HR Dept.