Grey Fleet
Employees who use their own cars at work are a 'Health and Safety time-bomb'
A new report from Arval, one of the UK's leading business car specialists, (as reported in the Daily Telegraph, Business Club - on the 'grey fleet') has highlighted that as many as one in four vehicles used on business could be at risk, equating to over one million cars. These vehicles are potentially poorly maintained and incorrectly insured raising fears for driver and public safety.
The rise in employees using their own cars on business has created a fleet of unchecked and un-managed drivers who are a potential
health and safety time-bombs for their employers and are likely to be a prime target for the new Corporate Manslaughter legislation.
Named because of the lack of information known about such vehicles, 'the grey fleet' describes drivers' own vehicles used for
business travel. These vehicles typically sit outside the normal company car policing and reporting channels. The grey fleet has grown as a
result of employees opting out of company car schemes for cash alternatives and employers wanting to provide more flexible benefits.
It is believed that employers are failing to check even basic details about private vehicles and the report highlights that:
- 83% of businesses have no procedures in place to check that non-company cars are regularly maintained
- 74% of businesses do not ask their employees for a valid MOT certificate for their vehicles
- 35% of businesses do not check the driving licences of drivers of non-company cars
The report shows that both large businesses and SMEs are susceptible to these risks as a result of poor management of their grey fleet. Small businesses - which often lack the resources to dedicate full time staff to vehicle management - are shown to be most at risk from grey fleet operating.
The findings of Arval's research are given all the more meaning with the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter Act, which became law in April 2008. The Act reinforces the obligation on a company to comply with existing health and safety legislation and makes it easier to prosecute companies following fatal accidents. The actions of senior management involved in any prosecution will be put under renewed focus as a result of the new law.
Arval's report also highlights other worrying statistics that could potentially compromise the health and safety of employees, such as:
- Only 24% of businesses conduct any form of risk assessment or driving training
- Over 73% of businesses place no age restriction on a non-company car to be used for business driving, and
- More than half (56%) have no policy for reporting accidents in non-company vehicles
- Some 80% have no policy for the suitability requirement of a vehicle
A vehicle fit-for-purpose is important to avoid incidents of employee discomfort that could lead to back ache or other complaints. Drivers doing high mileage are particularly susceptible to such injuries.
The Occupational Road Safety Alliance (ORSA) which was established just over five years ago, reports that although precise data is still not available, it is widely accepted that up to a third of those who die in crashes on the roads in Great Britain every year are at work. This could amount to around 1,000 deaths per year. It should be compared to about 40 workers and members of the public who die in 'conventional' work accidents notifiable to HSE and local authorities.
Work related road safety is being embraced enthusiastically by a number of large organisations and by the Department for Transport where
it is seen as an important strand in reducing GB road casualties
Should you require additional information or further clarification on providing a suitable Company Drivers Policy for your business,
please contact us training@fdat.net
