Driving in bad weather
Health & Safety news update 03/02/2012
As bad weather begins to take hold of the UK again, there are
practical issues you should be aware of if you or your employees
drive vehicles on company business.
Here, we look at this from two perspectives – how the driver can
prepare, and what the employer’s responsibilities are.
From a drivers perspective
With winter fast approaching, let’s remind ourselves of the
guidance given in the Highway Code regarding driving in icy and
snowy weather. Always check the weather forecast for warnings of
ice or snow, even if it’s something you pay little attention to. If
poor weather conditions are forecast, do not drive unless your
journey is essential and if it is, ensure you allow yourself more
time than usual to make the journey. Although it might seem ‘over
the top’, you should ensure that you have a small emergency kit in
your vehicle which should include de-icer and an ice scraper, a
torch and some additional warm clothing, including stout footwear
such as boots. It is also useful to carry a first aid kit, jump
leads and a shovel, in case you do get stuck. And finally, some
food and a warm drink as you have no idea how long you might be
stuck in the poor weather.
And remember, before setting off on your journey, it is
essential that your vision if not obscured, so ensure that all snow
and ice is cleared from your vehicles windows, and also ensure your
lights and number plates are also clearly visible. Clear your
mirrors and ensure that any snow that might fall into the path of
other road users is also removed.
When driving in icy or snowy weather, drive with care – do not
presume that because a road has been treated, you can continue to
drive as you would in ideal conditions. Keep well back from other
road-users. Stopping distances can be as much as ten times greater
than in normal conditions. Take great care when overtaking vehicles
that are spreading salt or other de-icer as they may well also have
a snow-plough fitted and could be throwing snow out from either
side. Do not attempt to overtake a snow plough or gritting vehicle
unless the lane you intend to use has been cleared.
When you know the roads are icy, avoid sudden actions such as
harsh acceleration or sharp braking, as these could cause you to
lose control of your vehicle. Drive at a slow speed but using as
high a gear as possible. Ensure you drive extra slowly when
cornering as this is the most likely place you might lose control.
Try and brake gently before you reach the corners and then steer
smoothly through the corner. Periodically, when it is safe to do
so, check the level of grip on the road by braking gently. If your
steering wheel feels unresponsive, this may well indicate ice on
the road surface.
From an Employer’s perspective
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires employers to
take appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of their
employees and others who may be affected by their activities when
at work. This includes the time when they are driving, or riding at
work, whether this is in a company or hired vehicle, or in the
employees own vehicle.
There will always be risks associated with driving. Although
these cannot be completely controlled an employer has a
responsibility to take all reasonable steps to manage these risks
down to as low a level as reasonably possible in the same way as
they would in the workplace. Whilst employers cannot exercise the
same control over hazards to employees when driving or riding at
work, as in the workplace, there are practical steps which they
should take to reduce the risks. Work-related road safety can only
be effectively controlled if it is integrated into arrangements for
managing health and safety at work. By way of illustration, an
employer should take account of the total number of hours worked,
and not just the number of hours spent at the wheel, when planning
driving schedules.
There are also many business benefits in managing work-related
road safety, no matter the size of your business. For example:
- fewer days lost due to injury;
- fewer vehicles off the road for repair;
- fewer missed orders;
- less need for investigation and follow up.
As a minimum, an employer should ensure that their drivers
are:
- competent and capable of doing their work in a way that is safe
for them and others;
- properly trained;
- sufficiently fit and healthy to drive safely and not put
themselves and others at risk;
- provided with information that will help them reduce risk (eg
recommended tyre pressures);
- provided with appropriate advice on driving posture.
That the vehicles that they drive are:
- fit for the purpose for which they are used;
- maintained in a safe and fit condition.
That the journey they are planning:
- takes account of appropriate routes;
- incorporates realistic work schedules;
- does not put drivers at risk from fatigue;
- takes sufficient account of adverse weather conditions.
Employers are encouraged to seek the views of their employees,
or their representatives, as they will have first hand experience
of what happens in practice.
If you would like further information, and already
subscribe to NatWest
Mentor,
please call the Advice
Service. If you would like more information on
how Mentor could help your business in situations like this and
many others, contact
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