It is to ensure that the risks which are faced by employees, and which they can create for others, while on the road as part of their job are managed by employers within the framework which they should already have in place for managing other aspects of health and safety at work.
Introduction
Driving has been recognised as one of the high risk activities in all organisations. It has been shown by research on average that about one in three fatal accidents are people that are driving vehicles for work at the time or for the purposes of work. Therefore it is effective for a company of any size to have in place management procedures to ensure that occupational or at work road risk is managed in exactly the same way as any other health and safety risk at work issue.
Risks from vehicle use need to be properly assessed so that all the necessary control measures are identified. Also employees should be able to contribute to the controls, by eliminating or reducing journeys and distances. They should look for alternative safer modes of transportation if possible.
Scope
This procedure covers the use of vehicles which are being used for work purposes whether they are company owned, hired or privately owned. This does not include commuting to work. Workplace transport that is all types company vehicles on company sites are not covered here, neither are Heavy Goods Vehicles as these require their own separate detailed consideration and risk assessment.
The Key Points of MORR
Assessment: There will be a need to follow a suitable risk assessment that must take into account the driver, the vehicle and the journey. This can be done by utilising standard generic precautions, unless it is for a higher road risk journey, where an individual risk assessment will be required.
Driver: Driver assessment and re-assessment for the competence may and can be required for time to time the driver is still legally responsible for the vehicles roadworthiness including correct loading and documentation. The driver is also responsible to ensure they are fit to drive and drive within the law at all times.
Specialist driving may be required.
Vehicle: The MORR procedure covering pool cars, hire cars, and privately owned vehicles when on official company business.
Vehicles will have to be safe and fit for purpose.
Vehicle Maintenance checks must be made before use, daily and weekly.
Privately owned cars used on company business must be safe, roadworthy, taxed, tested regularly serviced and insured for business purposes.
Journey: All accidents, incidents, and near misses to be reported.
If possible eliminate the need for the journey.
Managers must encourage compliance with driving time and rest. For example 10-15 minute break every 2 hours driving time. The recommend daily limit for driving is 10 hours per day with a planned maximum work/drive time per day of 12 hours. Overnight stops will be encouraged.
If a passenger in a vehicle you feel unsafe at any point in the journey you should say something to the driver and report it using the documentation supplied for Accident and Near Miss reporting. Also the HS manager, Transport Manager and Union Safety Representative should be informed.
If you are involved in an accident you must stop the vehicle in a safe place and follow company procedure as set out in the supplied documentation.
Always follow guidance on what to do if you breakdown. If you breakdown on the motorway including tyre puncture vacate the vehicle and wait for assistance behind the protective barriers.
Be aware of factors that increase road risk such as age, lack of experience, time of day, medication speed and equipment that may distract GPS or mobile phone.
Carriage of dangerous goods-abide by the rules set out by the authorities. Ask if need be!
Director
Site Director/ Head of Administration / Head of Site
Division/ Section/ Group/ Unit Heads
Local Transport Officer
All vehicle users