RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

September 8, 2005
RoSPA SEMINAR LOOKS AT “CASH FOR CARS” AND SAFETY

The latest work-related road safety issues facing businesses and organisations will be tackled at a seminar staged by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents on November 2.

Topics for discussion will include: employees using their own vehicles for work; drink and drugs problems; and how line managers and drivers need to be developed to play their part in the management of occupational road risk.

The seminar on Practical Risk Management is sponsored by Toyota GB, and will be held at Edgeley Park Conference Centre, Stockport.

Delegates will hear about a new guidance document RoSPA is developing for bosses who have employees who use their own vehicles for work. Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety, will outline the proposals.

He said: “Employers owe the same duty of care under health and safety law to staff who drive their own vehicles for work as they do to employees who drive company-owned, leased or hired vehicles.

“They still need to check if those vehicles are fit for work purposes and are safe and properly maintained.

“Organisations with a ‘cash for cars’ option may wish to review this to see whether the perceived advantages outweigh the disadvantages of managing staff’s own vehicles. Adopting a ‘cash for cars’ policy does not absolve employers from their health and safety obligations.”

The drink and drugs problem for fleet drivers will be looked at by Roger Singer, Head of Avoidd. He will place particular emphasis on the “morning after” effect, which far too many drivers still underestimate and which could become more prevalent with the extension of licensing hours.

Melvyn Hodgetts, Head of Safety, Royal Mail, will spotlight driver fatigue in his presentation on developing a risk management approach, and Charles Davis, RoSPA Head of Driver and Fleet Solutions, will concentrate on developing drivers and their line managers.

Charles Davis said: “Driving is the most dangerous work activity that most people undertake and we are pleased that more and more employers are recognising this. Our seminar will give them up-to-the-minute information about how to deal with this issue.”

For details, see www.rospa.com/morr/seminar or ring 0121 248 2120.