Vehicles for work

What you need to know as an employer to make sure that vehicles and drivers are safe at all times

Vehicles for work

Vehicles are used for a wide range of tasks at work, and as an employer, you need to make sure that vehicles driven in connection with work and the drivers using these vehicles are safe at all times.

Employees also have a responsibility to act within the law and not endanger themselves or other people by their actions, this includes when driving any vehicle as part of their work.

There are different ways to describe vehicles used at work.

Workplace transport – vehicles used on work sites, for example:

  • forklift trucks
  • autonomous vehicles
  • construction and agricultural vehicles (that do not travel on the public road)
  • car, vans and lorries within a workplace, e.g. in a delivery area or car park

Vehicles driven for work on the public road, for example:

  • cars
  • vans
  • lorries
  • motorcycles
  • construction and agricultural vehicles (that do travel on public roads)

What are the common hazards?

There are a number of hazards that are common to most work-related driving situations, such as:

  • having new or inexperienced drivers, driving work vehicles of any kind
  • using the wrong vehicle, or 'making do' with a vehicle that is not suitable for the job
  • using a vehicle that is not properly maintained, MOTed or insured
  • allowing members of staff to use a vehicle without assessing their abilities and providing suitable training
  • the health of the driver having an impact on their ability to drive or do the job safely
  • the driving activity and other elements of the job having an adverse effect on the health of the driver
  • not having clear policies and procedures covering all work vehicles, meaning staff may not be clear on their roles and responsibilities when driving
  • distraction
  • inappropriate speed
  • driver fatigue