The Health and Safety Authority and Road Safety Authority have issued new guidelines “Driving for Work Guidelines” that provide “an overview of legislation, how to carry out risk assessments and highlights the significant benefits for businesses and the wider community when work related road safety is managed effectively”.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act of 2005 means that employers have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of workers who drive for work.
About one third of all road traffic accidents involve a work vehicle and about 76 people die in work-related crashes annually.
The HSA reports that 42% of Irish businesses have no driving for work policy as part of their health and safety management system. This raises questions about the liability of employers when employees are involved road traffic accidents.