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Total Security Installations Ltd

Driving For Work Policy

Owner: Claire Terry Title: General Manager
Date: 08/11/2024 Version: 2

Policy Statement


At Total Security Installations Ltd (TSI) we are committed to managing our road risk. We want to deliver our legal and moral obligations to our employees who drive for work, to ensure they get home safe and well at the end of each day.

We are committed to continually improve employees road safety awareness.  

Your corporation and compliance with the policy helps us to deliver on this.

Peter S Terry (CEO)

The Health and Safety Executive has recognised driving for work is one of the most dangerous things many workers will do. It is estimated up to a third of all road traffic incidents involve someone who is ‘driving for work’ at the time. This may account for around 12 fatalities and 150 serious injuries every week. Each year in Great Britain there are over 35,000 injury collisions that involve someone who was driving for work at the time.

Driving for work refers to any work carried out on behalf of TSI that involves an employee driving a vehicle and covers all journeys other than to and from the employee’s normal place of work.

Many vehicles used for work journeys are supplied by the company, but there are also vehicles used for work that are owned, leased, or hired by individual members of staff. These are called “grey fleet” vehicles and drivers. TSI owes the same duty of care under health and safety law to grey fleet drivers as they do to employees who drive company owned, leased, or hired vehicles.

TSI requires any employee who drives for work to comply with safe driving guidance and always follow the Highway Code. There is no requirement or expectation that an employee, regardless of their position, will break any road traffic law while driving on work journeys. There is no business activity that justifies placing an employee or others at risk of a road collision.

All employees who drive for work on behalf of TSI have a legal duty, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to comply with this driving for work policy while doing so.

Non Compliance

Employees who drive for work will be responsible and accountable for their own actions when driving for the purposes of work. Should TSI receive information that an employee may have breached this policy, an internal investigation will be carried out which may lead to disciplinary action being taken, including the possibility of termination of employment.

Policy Monitoring

This policy was last reviewed on 8th November 2024 by Claire Terry.

TSI reserves the right to amend  the policy requirements relating to employees who drive and vehicles which are being used for work purposes.

This policy will be formally reviewed and updated by on at least an annual basis, or sooner if deemed appropriate, or by reasonable request.

The Driver


Driving Licence Checks

The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that as well as it being an offence for a driver to drive without a valid licence, it is also an offence for a person or organisation to permit a driver to drive without a valid licence. All employees who are engaged in work-related driving must:

  • be holders of a full current driving licence, valid in the UK, for the category of vehicle which they are driving (including automatic or manual).
  • notify their line manager immediately if their licence has expired, been suspended, revoked, or cancelled, or has had any limitation placed upon it.
  • notify their employer immediately of any driving endorsements or prosecutions, including any that are accrued while driving a private vehicle, as this could affect any relevant insurance policies in place.
  • notify the DVLA immediately of any changes to their name or address.
  • allow their licence to be checked on a regular basis.

TSI will carry out checks of driving licences for all employees who are required to drive on company business. Employees are required to provide details to facilitate the checking of their driving licence against the DVLA database.

Fitness To Drive

A person’s fitness to drive can be affected by a medical condition, by temporary illness and by the environment in which they work, drive and live. Health impairments – including stress, sleep disturbance, migraine, flu, severe colds, hay fever – can lead to unsafe driving. Sometimes, the treatment for these conditions can also impair driving. Employees must ensure they are fit to drive before embarking on any work journey.

 

Eyesight

Drivers are required to meet the minimum eyesight standards which involve being able to read an unfamiliar number plate from a distance of 20 metres (about 5 car lengths). Failure will result in the employee being stopped from driving on company business until they can demonstrate they meet the required minimum standard.

 

Medical Conditions

Employees should only drive when fit to do so. They should report to their manager any new condition, or a change in their health and wellbeing which may affect their ability to drive safely.

Employees should make themselves familiar with Notifiable Conditions which must be reported to the DVLA.

 

 

Impairment

Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is against the law. It is extremely dangerous and can seriously impair judgement and reactions leading to an increased risk of incidents and vehicle collisions.

No employee should attempt to drive whilst impaired or consume alcohol or any unlawful drugs in the workplace during work time or during a period prior to work where they may still be under the influence of alcohol and drugs effects which may carry over to the working hours.

Employees should also be mindful that many prescription medicines can cause drowsiness and affect the ability drive. If you are prescribed any drugs or medication, you should make your doctor aware that your job entails driving and ensure that you are aware of any restrictions on driving that are advised when taking the drugs or medication. Read any notes accompanying such medicines carefully and advise your manager if you think your driving may be affected.

The driver of a vehicle found to be over the drink-drive limit, and/or driving while impaired by drugs, can receive a criminal record, an unlimited fine, imprisonment, and an automatic driving ban. Driving while impaired by drink or drugs will be treated as gross misconduct and dealt with through the normal disciplinary process which could include termination of employment.

Fatigue

It is estimated that 20% of road collisions are a result of driver fatigue. Lack of sleep, or poor sleep can impair performance to the same extent as being over the legal alcohol limit. Employees should only drive when fit and healthy to do so which includes having had adequate sleep. Employees are expected to take adequate rest breaks during a journey – typically a 15-minute rest for every two hours of driving.

Whilst there is no specific offence of tired or fatigued driving, it remains an offence to drive whilst impaired through fatigue. If a driver is so tired that they are impaired, then they would fall foul of current legislation. Under these circumstances a driver causing death by dangerous driving faces life imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a minimum 5-year driving ban.

Wellbeing

All kinds of personal stresses can affect your ability to concentrate and drive safely. Financial worries, health issues, relationship problems and family situations such as a new baby can all understandably have a hugely distracting effect. If a personal situation is affecting your ability to concentrate while driving, please talk to your manager.

Driver Competence

In addition to holding a valid licence, employees must also be deemed competent to drive and given the necessary skills to drive in a safe and secure manner considering the potential range of vehicle types they may drive and activities they may conduct. This is specifically important for activities involving use of commercial vehicles, towing and individuals who drive long distances on company business. The company may occasionally require drivers to undertake additional training or refresher training.

Allocation of Company Vehicles

At a time to be decided by the Company, company vehicles may be replaced with either a vehicle from the existing fleet or a new vehicle.

TSI reserves the right to take back vehicles in the event of your absence from work for any period in excess of four weeks for any reason except normal agreed holiday absences.

The Vehicle


Vehicle Roadworthiness

A roadworthy vehicle is one that is safe to drive with all its safety-critical and other important elements in good condition and working order.

Drivers should conduct a walk around check of their vehicle to ensure there are no safety defects. A helpful aide is to remember the acronym POWDER: – Petrol (fuel) – Oil – Water – Damage – Electrics – Rubber. When checking tyres, ensure they are the correct pressure, do not have any cuts, bulges or other damage such as nails or screws, and that they have sufficient tread depth. The legal minimum tread depth for cars, vans and other LCVs is 1.6mm across 75% (three quarters) of the width of the tyre. Tyres should be replaced BEFORE they are at the legal limit.

Check the windscreen for any damage. Many chips can be repaired however, for damage larger than 10mm directly in front of the driver, the law usually requires the windscreen to be replaced.

Any defects and/or damage should be reported immediately. If safety-critical defects are found then the vehicle must not be used until those faults or defects have been rectified. Non-safety-critical defects should be rectified at the earliest possible opportunity.

Driving a vehicle with major defects is a serious offence and can result in harsh penalties. The penalties a driver may receive for driving a defective vehicle will range depending on the type and severity of the offence. Any such penalties are the responsibility of the driver. If the vehicle’s condition causes the driver to have a collision, they could face additional charges and penalties.

Safe Loads

Insecure loads pose a significant risk to other road users and incidents involving insecure loads can easily result in loss of life or life-changing injuries. The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the police have powers to issue fines to any driver in charge of a vehicle that is overloaded or if the load is insecure.

The load on a vehicle is not just restricted to goods being carried. The load is anything being carried on and in the vehicle including tools, equipment, machinery, load restraint equipment, signage, raw materials, samples, and baggage. All can be classified as being part of the load being carried and must be safely and securely fixed to and/or in the vehicle.

Employees required to drive for work purposes will attend and comply with any training provided around safe and secure loads. They will check and ensure that ‘their load’ is within load limits and securely fastened before commencing a journey, and then again during a journey when any part of the load has been moved or removed. They should report any incident and near miss to their manager, that involves the safety and security of their load.

You must always be aware of the risks present during loading and unloading. Do not put yourself or others at risk.

Vehicle Cleanliness

It is the responsibility of the driver of the vehicle to maintain the vehicle to a high standard of cleanliness both internally and externally. The dashboard must be kept free of loose items including including paperwork, food, litter and/or tools and equipment. The rear of the vehicle must be kept free of debris and maintained in a clean, organised, and presentable state.

Vehicle Security

When driving a company-supplied vehicle, employees are held responsible for its keys and security. Vehicle keys should never be left unattended in public and, when at home, keys should be kept out of sight and out of reach. Keys should be kept away from the front door to prevent remote vehicle theft where possible. Vehicles must always be locked when not in use and any security device fitted to or supplied with the vehicle must be activated. Vehicles should be parked in a place that is well lit and where possible, the use of security patrolled car parks, or those covered by CCTV are preferred.

Engine Idling

TSI is committed to protecting air quality by reducing the environmental impact of their operations in relation to engine idling by employees in company vehicles or in private vehicles being used on company business. Vehicle exhaust emissions from idling vehicles contributes significantly to air pollution which impacts on health, economic growth, and quality of life.

The driver of any vehicle being used on company business will:

  • turn the engine off when a vehicle is stationary for more than 1 minute and only restart when they are ready to drive away.
  • not use the engine to pre-heat the vehicle unless necessary due to safety considerations or weather conditions.
  • always turn off the engine when on a break, loading or unloading.

Engines may remain switched on to perform a pre-use walk around check, for the safety of the vehicle occupants, or when unforeseen emergency circumstances arise.

Private Use Of Company Vehicles

Vehicles are for business use, there is no automatic entitlement to use company vehicles for personal use.

Where approval to drive a company vehicle for personal use has been granted to individual drivers, the company reserves the right to withdraw approval at any time. This would normally be due to a drivers driving licence endorsements, poor driving conduct, or on the advice of our insurers.

You will be notified in writing if you are unable to use your vehicle for private use.

No company-supplied vehicle may be raced, rallied, or otherwise used in a non-business- related off-road environment.

Towing

Employees towing a trailer or equipment should ensure that their driving licence allows them to do so legally.

Drivers should be competent at correctly hitching the trailer, checking the trailer before use including tyres, electrical and brake connections, ensuring loads are safe and secure, and manoeuvring/reversing the trailer. Drivers without this competence should seek additional training from their manager before towing on behalf of the organisation.

Employees towing a trailer or equipment should familiarise themselves with the relevant changes in speed limits and permitted motorway lanes while towing, along with the permitted weight limits for their vehicle/trailer combination. They should also remember to allow additional time for slowing down and manoeuvring their vehicle when towing.

Continental Driving

When an employee needs to take a company vehicle off the UK mainland on business to the European continent or to Northern or Southern Ireland, the Fleet Manager on request will arrange the necessary documentation.

Permission must be given by a company Director for a company vehicle to be taken to the European continent or to Northern or Southern Ireland for a private holiday. Any costs relating to obtaining the required VE103BV form, additional insurance and breakdown cover must be paid by the driver. A copy of the Director approval should be submitted to the Fleet Manager prior to the vehicle leaving the country.

Trackers

Vehicle tracking devices may be installed on vehicles in connection with business requirements for security purposes, location in an emergency, job planning and checks on compliance such as speed.

When fitted they are supplied with a personal mileage button to assist with the recording of personal mileage.  If the driver is permitted to use their vehicle for personal use, it is the driver’s responsibility to use the device correctly to record all personal journeys.

The company reserves the right to install intelligent speed limiters.

Onboard Vehicle Cameras

For several reasons, including crime prevention, safety of employees and clients, reducing insurance and legal costs cameras may be fitted to our vehicles.

You should be aware that footage from the cameras may be used and relied upon, where necessary, for insurance and disciplinary purposes. Similarly, if there were allegations of negligence or careless driving made by clients or third parties against our drivers, or civil claims brought against any member of the Company we may use the footage in dealing with them. There may also be cases where we are required to disclose the recordings to the relevant authorities.

The Journey


Journey Planning

Journey routes should be planned to use the highest quality roads, such as motorways and dual carriageways where possible.

No employee should be required to drive continuously for more than 2 hours without at least a 15-minute break. Breaks and break locations should be planned in advance. Where employees are planned to travel a long distance to a work location at the beginning or end of the day, or if travel time risks making the working day unreasonably long, employees can discuss with their manager the requirement to arrange overnight accommodation to avoid driving tired.

Safe Driving

Employees are expected to drive with due care and attention at all times and observe the rules of the road set out in the current version of the Highway Code.

Safe Speeds

One of the most significant risks drivers face, and create, is driving at inappropriate speeds. This includes both exceeding the speed limit and driving within the limit but still too fast for the road and weather conditions.

Employees should know the speed limits for the type of vehicle they are driving and road they are travelling on and understand the importance of staying within speed limits. Van drivers should remember that the applicable speed limit for a van is often lower than that of a car.

No employee should never drive faster than road conditions safely allow and should always obey speed limits. Employees are expected to always drive safely, responsibly, and legally. The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points added to a driving licence.

Seatbelts

It has been a legal requirement for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts since 1983. The minimum penalty if caught not wearing a seatbelt is a fine of £100, rising to £500 if the case goes to court.

Seat belts are the best protection against injury or death in a crash. Wearing a seat belt reduces the chance of serious injury or death by 40% to 60%. People thrown from a vehicle are 4 times more likely to be killed than those who were wearing a seat belt and remain inside the vehicle. Seat belts should be worn by both drivers and passengers while traveling for work in any vehicle, whether company-operated or privately-owned. The driver of the vehicle is responsible for enforcing seat belt use by all occupants.

Where medically exempt from wearing a seat belt, a Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing should be obtained from a doctor. A copy must be presented to your Manager and a copy kept in the vehicle being driven to present to the police if stopped.

Driver Distraction

The use of a handheld mobile device in any vehicle whilst driving is illegal and employees face prosecution if caught doing so. Police can issue a fixed penalty notice (£200 fine and 6 penalty points) or summons the driver to court where they are likely to receive a more stringent penalty on conviction. Please note that any such penalty could affect your employment.

The use of hands-free mobile devices in all vehicles being driven for work is permitted though, while legal, hands-free use is not risk-free; using a hands-free device when driving creates an avoidable distraction that affects a driver’s ability to concentrate and impairs their reaction times.

Drivers are permitted to use mobile phone devices with hands-free access, as long as they do not hold them at any time during usage. Hands-free access means using:

  • a dashboard holder or windscreen mount
  • a Bluetooth connection to the vehicle (earphones are not permitted)
  • voice activation

A hands-free device fitted to the windscreen must not block the driver’s view of the road and traffic ahead. Drivers must always stay in full control of their vehicle. The police can stop drivers if they think they are not in control because they are distracted, and they can be prosecuted.

Note: It is illegal to stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway to make or take a call.

Driving in Adverse Weather

Weather can be unpredictable and can change quickly. When it does, the risk of a serious collision occurring substantially increases. Driving in adverse weather conditions can be extremely dangerous and can affect a drivers’ awareness and concentration as well as their ability to drive safely.

Before commencing any journey, employees should always consider the weather conditions and potential for changes and deterioration in weather. They should adjust their driving style to the weather and road conditions at the time. Fuel levels should be checked at the start of a journey to ensure there is sufficient to complete the journey, and employees should have access to a fully charged mobile electronic device to provide updates to their managers if they need to postpone journeys or change routes when the police and travel organisations advise against road travel due to weather conditions.

If poor weather is expected, the necessity for the journey should be considered. Employees who still need to drive should ensure they have appropriate clothing to stay warm and dry, plus food and water in case of travel delays.

Employees should also have with them an up-to-date list of breakdown and emergency contact numbers.

Passengers

For safety and insurance reasons, under no circumstances are employees permitted to allow unauthorised passengers in any vehicle being used for work purposes. Employees are not permitted to pick up hitchhikers in a company vehicle, and employees using their own vehicles for work are not permitted to pick up hitchhikers while driving on company business.

The driver of the vehicle is responsible for the safety and conduct of everyone in their vehicle. If the carrying of passengers is permitted by management, the number of legally permitted passengers is not to be exceeded in that vehicle and seat belts must be used, unless medical exemption certificates apply.

Smoking

Under the 2006 Health Act, smoking is banned in the workplace, and any vehicle being used for work. Smoking by either the driver or passengers is not permitted in any vehicle while traveling on official company business. This includes vehicles allocated to a single person. This policy includes the use of e-cigarettes and vapes. Employees and their passengers who smoke in work vehicles are breaking the law and can be fined.

Fines And Penalties

Any employee who is caught and prosecuted by the police for unsafe and dangerous behavior while driving a vehicle for work, will be responsible for any fines, administration charges and subsequent penalties imposed. Parking fines are the responsibility of the driver and not the employer. Licence endorsements may affect the insurance of the driver concerned and mean they are unable to continue driving on behalf of TSI.

Breakdowns, Punctures And Glass Repair

Within your vehicle pack you will have been supplied emergency breakdown numbers. If you are in any doubt please contact call your manager.

If you are on a motorway, you must not attempt to change the wheel or tyre yourself.

Damage Or Theft While Parked

If your vehicle is damaged when unattended report the details to your manager including location, time and photographs.

If your vehicle is stolen while unattended, report it immediately to the police and obtain an accident number.

Collisions

After any accident or collision YOU MUST STOP. Failure to stop at the scene of an accident is a criminal offence. If you are involved in a collision that results in injury to a third party, you are required by law to contact the emergency services immediately by telephoning 999. If nobody has been injured and your vehicle is not causing an obstruction, you are not required to call the emergency services.

If it is possible to move your vehicle to a safe location at the side of the road you should do so and switch off the engine. Move all uninjured passengers to the side of the road. If you are on a motorway, ensure everyone remains behind the safety barrier. Do not attempt to move injured passengers unless they are in danger – wait instead for the paramedics to arrive. If a motorcyclist is involved, do not attempt to remove their crash helmet.

Do not admit any liability for the collision or enter into any discussion other than to exchange the details required to report the accident to your insurance company and your employer.

If possible, and without putting yourself in danger, take photos of the accident and any damage to the vehicles involved. You should also take photos of any road or landscape features that may have contributed to the collision.

You will need to complete a full report of the incident including a diagram of the vehicles showing how the accident occurred, why it occurred and what damage resulted.

Clear any debris to the side of the road so it does not present any danger to other road users but DO NOT try to recover any debris if you are on a motorway. If your vehicle is drivable, you may now continue your journey.

Incident Reporting

All work-related road incidents and near misses (including damage-only ones and ones involving privately owned vehicles when they are used for work) should be reported as soon as it is safe to do so. Prompt and accurate reporting and recording of work-related road incidents, and near misses help to keep employees safe and reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring again.

Incidents involving a company-supplied vehicle must be reported to your manager immediately where possible or, at the latest, within 24 hours.

An incident is an event that resulted in personal injury to an employee or another person, or resulted in property or vehicle damage, or a dangerous occurrence. This could include a motoring offence, a crash or collision involving a vehicle being driven for work, or a vehicle breakdown.

A near miss is a dangerous occurrence that had the potential to result in personal injury to a staff member or another person, or to result in property damage.

Failure to report damage to company vehicles may result in disciplinary.

Insurance

Company vehicles are covered by fully comprehensive insurance with an agreed excess. Where employees are involved in an accident in a company vehicle, the company reserves the right to charge the employee (in the absence of exceptional mitigating circumstances) for any excess payments.  More details are provided in the employee handbook.

Vehicle Checks

It is the drivers responsibility to conduct daily vehicle checks.

In addition to these checks, it is company policy for all drivers to conduct and submit a monthly vehicle check.

Refer to the Drivers Handbook for more details.

 

 

Grey Fleet Drivers


Please note that if you use your own car for work, the organisation’s legal duty of care to ensure the safety of the driver, the vehicle and journey remain the same. Grey fleet drivers should make themselves aware of all the company policies relevant to driving for work and ensure they always comply with them.

Grey fleet drivers must ensure:

  • They are fit to drive.
  • They hold a valid driving licence for the vehicle being driven, and provide permission for the employer to check this licence directly with DVLA.
  • The vehicle is appropriate for the journey and use, taxed, MOT’d and serviced in line with manufacturer recommendations.
  • They hold appropriate and valid insurance cover for business use.
  • They can produce documentary proof of the above, on request.
  • The vehicle is regularly checked to ensure its road-worthiness and a walk around safety check is conducted prior to starting any long work journey.
  • They will notify their Manager if they are unable to use a vehicle which meets the minimum safety standards required.
  • They will notify their Manager of any Notice of Intended Prosecutions and collisions they are involved in whilst driving, especially whilst on a journey for work purposes.
  • They co-operate with company rules and policies when using their own vehicle for work.

Policy Queries


If there is anything in this policy document that you do not fully understand, or would like clarification on, please contact your line manager or the policy owner.