WORKSAFE Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) have launched a guide to help reduce deaths and injuries resulting from work-related driving.
TAC road safety senior manager, David Healy said the guide provided practical advice to employers, fleet managers and drivers on measures to reduce risks associated with work-related driving.
Given this high risk profile, the benefits of a work-related driving safety program could be significant and include: reduced death and injury and all their related personal, social and economic costs; greater productivity through increases in vehicle use; and greater ability to manage the fleet safely by using fleet safety and incident information.
WorkSafe executive director, John Merritt said the guide was a resource for employers setting up their own work-related driving safety program.
Key features of a work-related driving safety program should include: purchasing policy based on a minimum of a four star safety rating in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program; involvement of employees and local management; driver information and education; an appropriate vehicle inspection and maintenance program; and an incident and accident follow-up action plan.
Merritt said Victorian workplaces where driving was a requirement of the job should develop and implement policies and practices based on these guidelines as soon as practicable.
The guide deals with work-related driving in a business sequence, beginning with planning before driving, through to on-road risk management, and monitoring and reviews of fleet performance.
For more information contact:
WorkSafe
P – 1800 136 089
W – www.worksafe.vic.gov.au