Is driving part of your job role?

An employer has a responsibility to manage health and safety risks to all workers, not just at fixed sites, but extending to members of staff driving a vehicle as part of their work activity. Driving can be dangerous, and employers must do what they can to prevent any harm from coming to them. This responsibility doesn’t just relate to business vehicles, but also to vehicles owned by the worker and used for work purposes. Extra consideration should be given to lone workers who will not have a colleague to assist them, should anything go wrong when out on the road.

The HSE estimate that “more than a quarter of all road traffic incidents may involve somebody who is driving as part of their work at the time.”

Are you and your vehicle prepared?

When you get into your vehicle, do you do so with confidence, that you are prepared should anything go wrong? Are you sure? How many, from this list of 20 things, do you have available when you set off for your journey? — YES, We were shocked at how many there are, and all are relevant.

You could be driving to your next client; between work activities; delivering; or on the way to a conference, do you really want to be unprepared?

A mobile phone
Charger and lead for your mobile phone
A way to check in with your supervisor and give an update on your situation
An ability to show your location via GPS — What3Words is a great App.
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Reflective triangles — A legal requirement in many European countries.
Reflective vests — A legal requirement in many European countries.
Spare tyre & Tyre jack — If you drive a lot, definitely worth the expense.
Tyre foam sealant for a temp quick fix (Only works for minor damage and ruins the tyre)
Tyre Pump / Inflator
Spare Bulbs and Fuses
Torch
Duct tape & Cable ties (So useful for so many temporary fixes)
Tow rope
Drinking water + non-perishable snacks (I used these many times just when stuck in traffic).
Blanket
De-icer / scraper
Copies of important documents and contact details of a breakdown service
Pen and Paper

This isn’t an exhaustive list, What extra ones do you have?

If you are now less confident, discuss your concerns with your employer. They should have policies and procedures to ensure that vehicles and users obey the law and abide by the health and safety outlines, and reasonable measures made to ensure that you and your vehicle is prepared for most eventualities.

Most organisations that require you to drive for your work should, as a minimum, have a regular check list in place to show the vehicle is road worth and safe.

Car trouble? Who Ya Gonna Call?

OK, so imagine this. You’re on your way to a very important meeting with a supplier; off to see your new patient in their home; on the way to the airport for an overseas conference; or popping into the city to show a client a property. You ignored the engine noise as you set off alone, because after-all you are running late, and this is important.

Almost at the end of your journey, all the dashboard warning lights start illuminating the inside of the vehicle, as the light outside fades and the rain starts to fall. You took a wrong turn fifteen minutes ago and have no idea where you are, least of all where the next garage is. Then BANG, your car rolls silently to a halt at the side of a quiet country lane.

After switching on the hazards and setting out the triangles and putting on your high vis (you have them, right?) you settle back in the car with your mind racing. It’s OK, you have this, you can still just about make it, you can organise something because you have your phone. Right? Yes. But there’s no signal, and you have only 5% battery left. And the rain is falling even harder now!!!!

Panic or not to panic?

There are alternative endings to this scenario, but we prefer the one where you sit back and wait. You’re confident in the knowledge that the organisation uses MyTeamSafe. The app switches automatically to SMS fallback mode should there be a lack of signal.

You can send notes direct from the App or Press PANIC. If the battery dies, escalations still happen if you haven’t checked in on time. All as you’re keeping warm in a blanket — you have that, right? A supervisor will be automatically contacted, who, when unable to communicate with you, will use the location-tracker, to find your last recorded location.

You may not have made the flight or meeting, but you would be home soon enough for a warm bath and in time for dinner!

This isn’t a dangerous situation, but it happens every day! It could happen to you or a colleague. Being prepared and keeping safe is simple … if you think about it.

MyTeamSafe®, an award-winning lone-worker App & proud supporter of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust