Risk assessment for driving - Employer responsibilities - Vehicles and driving for work

Driving is a work task carried out by many workers. Vehicles can be used on work sites and on public roads for work. As so many of us drive in our home and leisure time, we tend not to consider the risks in a work context.

In many workplaces, driving is considered a secondary activity. However, if your staff use vehicles to drive to a place where they will carry out their job, then the driving task is a work activity using work equipment. For many, driving is the most dangerous element of their working day.

As an employer it is important that you understand your responsibilities and take steps to keep your workers and members of the public safe.

To help your workers understand the risks and their responsibilities, it is useful to develop a driving for work policy covering the types of vehicles and driving activities carried out in your organisation. Once you are clear on these activities, using the risk assessment process will help you manage these risks.

Use the links below to find information on creating a vehicle and driver policy, completing a risk assessment and driver hours.

2. Risk assessment for driving

Carry out a risk assessment

Many different types of vehicle are used in a workplace setting and it is important that you are aware of the risks they cause and take steps to manage these. The best way to find out about the risks in your organisation, and how to address these, is by discussing issues with your staff and carrying out a risk assessment.

Find out how to carry out a risk assessment

Your risk assessment for driving activities at work should consider

the driver
the vehicle
the journey, route or the job the vehicle is used for.

The risk assessment process will help an employer identify how best to control these and other identified risks on their sites. View our pages on on-site transport hazards and public road hazards to find out more about the types of risks that your drivers may face and the steps you can take to manage these risks.

To learn more about vehicles and driving for work, complete our online awareness course.

Go to the VLE course on driving at work

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