SQUIRRELLS COACHES LTD

Work Related Road Safety Policy

Introduction:

Squirrells Coaches is committed to the delivery of its obligations under Heath and Safety legislation with regard to driving at work and recognises that there are specific risks to employees who are driving on behalf of the company.

Squirrells Coaches has introduced this Work Related Road Safety (WRRS) policy with the objective of identifying and minimising those risks, to actively encourage safe driving in order to minimise of accidents and comply with its legal obligations.

 

Purpose and Scope:

This policy is designed to ensure that Squirrells Coaches satisfies the requirements of Health and Safety legislation in relation to driving at work. This policy out lines how those requirements will be met.

This policy applies applies to all Squirrells Coaches employees, contractors or others who  maybe driving for or on behalf of Squirrells Coaches.

 

Legislation:

The legislation governing this policy and associated documents is contained in, but not limited to:

·        The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

·        Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

·        Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

·        Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

·        Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995

·        The Road Traffic Act 1988

·        Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

Definitions:

For the purpose of this policy the following definitions apply:

Company Vehicle – Any Coach which is provided by Squirrells Coaches and used by employees driving on Squirrells Coaches.

Driving at work-  Any work carried out on behalf of the company that involves the employee in time spent driving a vehicle and covers all journeys other than to and from the normal place of work

Policy Statement:

Squirrells Coaches has formulated its WRRS policy and processes on the basis of managing and controlling four elements:

·        Risk Assessments

·        Drivers

·        Vehicles

·        Journeys

Risk Assessments:

(Risk assessments shall be completed for)

·        Each job or task that includes driving at work

·        Journeys / routes

·        Vehicles – to insure they are fit for the chosen purpose and are roadworthy

·        Drivers- when they first join the organisation and at regular intervals during there employment

Divers:

For all people driving at work, Squirrells Coaches shall:

·        Promote a “No Blame” incident reporting culture

·        Verify the drivers entitlement to drive before joining Squirrells Coaches and at regular intervals subsequently

·        Asses the drivers knowledge and understanding of the Highway code

·        Require drivers have regular eyesight checks

·        Require drivers to drive in accordance to the Highway Code

·        Communicate the WRRS policy and process to all contractors and employees within the organization

·        Carry out driving related staff induction training

·        Monitor drivers performance and provide training where a need is identified

·        Review and incidents a driver is involved in to identify the cause(s) and any action that can be taken to prevent recurrence

·        Ensure that drivers do not drive more than nine hours in a twenty four hour period

Vehicles-

Squirrells Coaches Shall:

·        Specify and select vehicles that are suitable and safe for employees and fit for the purpose(s) they are to be used for.

·   ensure all company vehicles have breakdown cover

·   allocate vehicles that are within the competence / experience of the driver to drive safely

·   ensure that vehicle’s are maintained in accordance the manufacturer’s service schedule and maintain service records

·   define and communicate its procedure for vehicle defect identification and correction

·   provide equipment needed to secure equipment carried in vehicles

·   advise drivers as to safe loading principles

·   not operate vehicles that are overweight

·        provide training for drivers who are driving a vehicle type that is new to them e.g. a van, towing a trailer

·        issue guidance on the vehicle checks drivers shall complete at start of a shift / before a journey, whether using a company, a private or hired vehicle

·        issue of Hi-Vis clothing for the purpose of driving at work

Journeys:

 

Squirrells Coaches Shall:

 

·   minimize the need to travel for business where practically possible

·   minimise the need to drive during the hours of darkness

·   plan work / journeys / delivery schedules that are legally realistic and achievable and include regular breaks during the journey

·   plan routes to maximise use of motorways and dual carriageways and take into consideration low bridges and weight restrictions as appropriate to the vehicle

 

Responsibilities:

 

The Directors (Richard and Julie Squirrell)

 

The Directors shall give their full support to the WRRS policy and processes to ensure that all practical measures are taken, and appropriate resources in the form of finance, equipment, personnel and time are made available to enhance safety whilst driving at work. Specifically, the Directors shall:

 

·   appoint a WRRS Co-ordinator responsible for the day to day implementation and operation of Squirrell Coaches WRRS policy and processes

·   lead by example and be consistent

·   review work-related road risk activities on an annual basis

·   ensure that line managers’ responsibilities are clearly defined and are understood with regard to WRRS

·   ensure that line managers have the required knowledge and competence to carry out their WRRS responsibilities

·   co-operate with all other staff in health and safety matters

 

Line Managers

 

Line Managers shall ensure that their departments and staff comply with the WRRS policy and processes. In particular they shall:

 

·   co-operate with all other staff in health and safety matters

·   ensure that the WRRS policy and processes are known and understood by their staff

·   assist the WRRS Co-ordinator in identifying all risks associated with the task of driving at work

·   ensure staff attend any identified training

·   assist as necessary in the implementation of control measures to reduce identified risks

·   ensure any road related incidents are reported to the WRRS Co-ordinator

·   conduct ad hoc inspections on staff and vehicles within their span of control to check WRRS policy and processes are being adhered to and vehicles are in a roadworthy condition

·   to plan routes and work schedules in line with WRRS policy and processes

 

Drivers:

 

Drivers Shall:

 

·   co-operate with all other staff in health and safety matters

·   comply with the WRRS policy and processes detailed here and in the Driver’s Handbook

·   submit their driving licence before joining Squirrells Coaches and at regular intervals subsequently so that their entitlement to drive can be verified

·   complete driving related assessments and training as required by the WRRS policy and processes

·   check the roadworthiness of any vehicle they use at work before commencing their journey / shift

·   for company vehicles, report vehicle defects so that the fault can be rectified

·   risk assess their journey and identify if the journey is necessary or an alternative mode is available, or if any additional equipment is needed for the journey / circumstances / conditions

·   where they use their private vehicle for work, Drivers shall provide documentation on an annual basis and as required to verify the vehicle complies with WRRS policy and processes

·   get their eyes professionally checked on a regular basis

·   always drive in accordance with the Highway Code

 

The Health and Safety Manager (Samantha Squirrell)

 

The Health and Safety Manager shall:

 

·   ensure risk assessments are completed and maintained

·   ensure the WRRS policy and processes meet the requirements of the current legislation

·   ensure that vehicle maintenance programs are managed and the associated records are maintained

·   prepare and manage the WRRS audit plan

·   track the implementation status of audit recommendations

·   prepare an annual report on the WRRS policy and processes including:

·   achievement or otherwise of key performance indicators

·   summary of audit findings

·   highlighting areas of concern e.g. where the policy and / or processes are ineffective

·   recommended actions in order to improve the effectiveness of the WRRS policy and processes

·   cost of managing and controlling work related road safety e.g. training, safety equipment, vehicle modifications

 

Health and Safety Co-ordinators

 

Health and Safety Co-ordinators shall support the implementation of this policy by:

 

·   monitoring the implementation of the WRRS policy and processes at the site(s) they are responsible for

·   working in conjunction with the Health and Safety Manager, Line Manager and Drivers to allow them to fulfil their duties and responsibilities with regard to the WRRS policy and processes

 

Performance, Monitoring and Review

 

Squirrells Coaches shall monitor the WRRS policy and processes and use the results to continuously improve road safety within the organisation.

 

Specifically, the policy will be monitored to:

 

·   ensure that the policy meets current standards (legal and other)

·   monitor progress against key performance indicators

·   identify opportunities for improvement

 Audits and spot checks 

  Squirrells Coaches shall maintain a system of planned and systematic audits of the WRRS policy and processes to verify arrangements remain effective and to identify any opportunities for improvement. The audit plan shall:

 

·   identify specific areas to be audited

·   the frequency of audits

·   the responsibilities for carrying out audits

 

Squirrells Coaches shall carry out spot checks to verify Line Managers and Drivers are adhering to the WRRS policy and processes.

Amendments

Any amendments to the WRRS policy and processes will be managed in accordance with the health and safety amendment process.