Safety blitz may force firm to report on even/ incident
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el by Guy Sheppard
A new road safety blitz could seriously increase red tape for hauliers, by forcing them to report all accidents involving their vehicles to the Health and Safety Executive.
This is just one of a range of proposals that a new independent task force may put to the government at a meeting in October, which aims to cut the accident rates involving people driving at work.
Research commissioned by the HSE shows that up to a third of all serious road traffic accidents involve someone who was driving as part of their job. Because these accidents take place on the road, they are not covered by the Reporting of Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), which requires employers to report workplace accidents.
Geoff Dunning, a task force member and northern regional director of the Road Haulage Association, explains: lit the moment, if a truck driver is involved in an accident and ends up in hospital for four days, the incident is investigated by police. One option, and I stress it is only an option, is that this type of action [could] be reported to the HSI."
However, he adds that the RHA has not yet decided whether it will support this part of the initiative. He warns: "It is unlikely to get industry support... and it could swamp the HSE." A more likely move would be only to report deaths or serious injuries, rather than every incident, says Dunning.
An extension of the RIDDOR scheme is just one of the proposals being looked at by the work-related, road safety task force, which is made up of traffic commissioner David Dixon well as representatives from the RHA FTA, the unions, road safety organisatit government departments and the polici will also look at ways of ensuring ti companies run training assessm schemes for workers; give regular brea implement 'How am I driving?' schen and take Health and Safety manual advi Proposals to combat risk areas such reversing and the use of mobile phoi while driving will also be considered.
Mary Williams, executive director road safety organisation Brake, says task force—of which Brake is a membe is a "very sound initiative to aid fleet m( agers' risk management policies."
Brake has launched an introduct guide on improving the safety of vehi fleets. The guide covers the biggest risks the road, the benefits of prioritising fl safety, writing a company policy on fl safety and carrying out safety initiath Copies cost £5. Contact: Lynne Holden 01484 559909; e-mail, bralcekitrake.org, • See Comment, page?.