Did you know that over 30% of deaths on roads and 1 in 5 serious injuries involve driving for work? A driving risk assessment helps you identify hazards so effective measures can be put in place to reduce the risks.
Ideally, it is best to eliminate the need for employees to drive for work at all by using alternatives such as video conferencing or public transport, but this is not always possible. In this guide we discuss what to consider in a driving risk assessment and how it can help to prevent accidents.
What is a driving risk assessment?
A driving risk assessment is a tool for evaluating the potential risks associated with employees driving vehicles for work (this does not include commuting). By identifying risks, employers can implement measures that will improve safety on the roads, reduce stress for drivers and enhance operational efficiency.
Depending on your organisation’s requirements, you might also need a workplace transport risk assessment. This assessment focuses on keeping employees, pedestrians and visitors safe on the site where vehicles are maintained, loaded, unloaded and move about.
At Praxis42, our health and safety consultants offer a workplace transport risk assessment service, providing pragmatic, practical solutions tailored to your organisation’s activities.
Hyperlink to ‘What is a workplace transport risk assessment?
What should be considered in a driving risk assessment?
Here’s what to consider in a driving risk assessment:
Driver competency and capability
These are some hazards that may affect driver competency and capability:
- Physical or mental health conditions that might affect someone’s fitness to drive.
- Medication that might impair someone’s ability to drive.
- Illness
- Fatigue
- Distractions such as eating, using a mobile phone or using navigation devices.
- Alcohol and drugs.
Employers should conduct thorough induction checks to make sure employees are competent to drive. They must have valid driving licences and vehicles must be properly insured for business use. Drivers should know when to inform their employer if they are aware of anything that could impair their driving ability.
At Praxis42 we offer Driver Assessment + which is an online self-assessment tool that helps employers to assess driver competency and vehicle safety. You can adapt the assessment to meet the requirements of your business sector and organisation.
The assessment provides valuable information to support effective risk management and demonstrate legal compliance.
We also offer Driver awareness training which helps to ensure drivers are aware of the hazards of driving for work and how they can protect their own safety and the safety of passengers, pedestrians and other road users. It is advisable to refresh training every two years to ensure drivers remain competent and up to date with driving regulations and best practices.
It is vital that all drivers have the skills, experience, and physical and mental capabilities to be safe on the road.
Safe vehicles
It is crucial to thoroughly assess a vehicle to make sure it is safe and fit for purpose.
Hazards include:
- Mechanical failures
- Drivers not being familiar with the vehicle
- Vehicle used for an activity that is not suitable
- Musculoskeletal conditions caused by poor driving postures.
- Falling loads
- Vehicle rolling over.
All vehicles must be properly and regularly maintained with valid insurance and an MOT certificate, if applicable. Vehicles should carry emergency equipment such as a first aid kit, warning triangles, and a fire extinguisher.
Drivers should be made aware that they need to carry out basic, visual checks of their vehicles before they start a journey (this is covered in our Driver awareness training). They should also familiarise themselves with the vehicle to make sure they are confident before they drive on the roads.
It is important that vehicles have seats that are easily adjustable and that seats are maintained to make sure they work properly. Drivers should be able to maintain good ergonomic postures and understand how to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
The weight and distribution of loads carried by a vehicle should be considered before driving, as overloading can affect stability and handling. Loads must be checked to make sure they are properly secured so they do not fall and cause an injury, particularly in the event of sudden braking.
Manual handling
Drivers may be required to handle loads as part of their job. Start by identifying the specific manual handling tasks that drivers are required to perform, such as lifting, carrying, or loading/unloading large, bulky, or heavy items into and out of a vehicle.
Assess the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from repetitive or awkward movements, heavy lifting, or improper lifting techniques. Encourage drivers to minimise manual handling tasks by taking only what is necessary for their journey.
Provide manual handling training and suitable handling aids. This could include items such as folding box trolleys or lifting straps that help distribute weight and reduce strain on the body. Ensure that these aids are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure their effectiveness.
Work related violence
As part of a risk assessment for drivers, identify situations where drivers are at increased risk of encountering physical or verbal violence while travelling alone. This could include driving through high-crime areas, interacting with aggressive individuals, or encountering road rage incidents.
Assess whether drivers are aware of the risk of work-related violence and understand how to recognise and respond to potentially dangerous situations.
Provide training and guidance on identifying signs of aggression, de-escalation techniques, and emergency procedures. Our online Conflict Management course helps employees recognise signs of aggression and harassment and understand how to manage situations effectively.
Implement measures to reduce the risk of work-related violence, such as avoiding high-risk areas or times, scheduling journeys during daylight hours, and providing support systems such as lone worker devices or emergency contacts.
Encourage drivers to communicate any concerns or incidents of work-related violence to their managers or designated safety officers. Establish clear reporting procedures and mechanisms for addressing safety issues promptly.
Weather conditions
Provide training and guidance on how to drive in different weather conditions. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) offer guidance on driving safely in winter. Tips include advice on vehicle preparation, driving techniques and emergency procedures.
Actively discourage driving in exceptionally difficult weather conditions whenever possible (for example, fog, high winds and icy conditions and floods). Change schedules and rearrange routes as needed.
Encourage drivers to review weather forecasts before starting their journey. Assess factors such as precipitation (rain, snow, sleet), visibility (fog, mist), wind speed, and temperature which affect driving conditions.
Time of day
Most road accidents occur during rush hour. Fatigue-related accidents are most likely to occur between 2pm and 4pm and 2am and 6am when people’s energy levels dip.
Avoiding driving at these times is the best way to reduce accidents statistically, but everyone is different. Drivers should be encouraged to be mindful of their own body rhythms and avoid driving when they are most likely to feel sleepy.
However, it is not always practical or possible to avoid driving at riskier times of the day. Journeys must be planned so drivers have time to rest frequently (see ‘Journey duration’ below).
Journey duration
Evaluate the length of a journey and whether it involves driving for extended periods of time. Long journeys increase the risk of driver fatigue which can lead to accidents.
Rest stops must be planned and drivers encouraged to take regular breaks to stretch and rehydrate. Consider the option of overnight stops for very long journeys. Ensure that a driver’s workload allows for sufficient journey time and planned breaks. Avoid scheduling tight deadlines that may pressure them to rush or skip breaks, increasing the risk of accidents.
Encourage drivers to plan their journeys in advance, considering factors such as traffic conditions, weather, and rest stops. Adequate planning ensures that drivers have sufficient time to reach their destination safely and can schedule breaks as needed.
By assessing these aspects through a driving risk assessment and implementing appropriate measures, you can promote the safety of drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
