Health and safety is an area that has probably been left to other parts of business operations rather than transport. The transport industry has always been concerned with vehicle safety, overloading, load security and drivers’ hours but health and safety on the public highway has not been an issue.

We have recently seen increased awareness and enforcement by HSE on workplace transport safety and the guidance on driving at work makes it absolutely clear that any road traffic accident involving a driver whilst at work could come under the scrutiny of HSE.

Health and safety guidance states that employers should treat road risk the same as any other risk in the workplace, and should be carrying out assessments - a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Our health and safety half day audit will look at your responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act as well as compliance with other specific EU and UK regulations. The audit provides a detailed report highlighting areas of concern and advising you of procedures to ensure your compliance.

With FTA Health and Safety Audit you are assured of:-

• Skilled FTA staff with formal qualification/training in health and safety
• Peace of mind that you are complying with all health and safety requirements
• Increased awareness of the changes in the legislation

FTA’s Health and Safety Audit includes checks that companies are meeting the following basic legal requirements on:

• H & S policy
• Accident reporting
• Fire
• Electricity at work
• Manual handling
• PPE
• PUWER
• Workplace
• Warehouse
• Driving
• H & S arrangements
• Risk assessments
• First aid
• DSE
• Noise
• COSHH
• LOLER
• Workplace transport
• Workshop (if applicable)

Working at height

The changes to the requirements for working at height will have a considerable effect on the way drivers are managed. The current requirement to protect employees working above two metres from the ground is to be changed to protect employees working at any height that has potential to cause harm. This raises potential operational difficulties where drivers have to get onto the back of the vehicle or check fridge motor levels. FTA in conjunction with HSE have written a guide on working at height on vehicles. Members can download the guide to 'Preventing falls from vehicles' from our website

Mobile phone guidelines

FTA's published guidelines on the use of mobile phones to help companies understand the new legislation.

FTA members can download a copy of this here

Non members should contact 01892 552222.

Alcohol and drugs

Driving at work