Driver safety is a hot topic amongst many organisations due to the impact improving it can have on the health and safety of a mobile workforce. The current school of thought around driver safety in HSE at the moment focuses on a two-pronged approach, with both automotive technology and behavioural improvements being used to keep drivers safe. Keep reading to find out more about how you can improve the driver safety of your organisation’s workers.
- Use driver telematics to measure your employees driving habits
Often part of the challenge of working out how to improve a driver’s safety is getting an idea of what kind of driver they are to begin with. This is where driver telematics come in. Black box recorders and feedback software help you to build up a picture of where your drivers are over and underperforming. It allows you to work out particular times of day when they are more exposed to risk and offers other insights. This is a good way to work out what your driver needs in terms of training.
- Give your employees the necessary training to improve their driving
Whilst holding a valid driving license for the vehicle you are operating is seen by many as enough to indicate that you are a ‘competent’ driver, research indicates that over time we pick up bad driving habits that can be dangerous the health and safety of both us and other road users.
Recently more courses are being offered on how to improve your driving from both productivity and health and safety point of view. Uber is encouraging drivers to take training which can improve their driving safety and employability.
- Make sure the drivers have first aid and safety training
First aid is important while on the road as it can be a lifesaving skill in the event of accidents or medical emergencies. Therefore, implementing a 3 day first aid at work course or a similar workshop is a beneficial step to ensure the well-being of the employees. By organizing these sessions, you are providing the drivers with first-aid learning and enhancing their overall alertness during emergencies and accidents. Prompt and effective first aid administered by a driver or someone at the scene can significantly mitigate the severity of injuries and improve the chances of survival. It can help control bleeding, support an injured person’s airway and breathing, and stabilize their condition until professional medical assistance arrives.
First aid not only ensures the well-being of the injured party but also contributes to road safety by reducing the risks associated with accidents, making it a critical skill for all drivers to possess.For this reason, organizing first aid at work training for drivers can be hugely beneficial in case any unfortunate incident were to occur.
- Make sure your fleet is properly serviced and maintained
There is only so much that can be done to improve the performance of a driver, if the vehicle they are operating is poorly maintained, they will never be able to fully operate in a safe manner. If your business operates a fleet of company cars, having them properly maintained and serviced will ensure they are safe to drive on the roads. This will also give your drivers greater peace of mind when they are working.
- Give your drivers the option to feedback recommendations to you
Lastly, we recommend where possible giving your drivers the chance to relay feedback to the relevant decision-makers on how they think they are operating their vehicles in terms of safety. They will be able to give you first-hand accounts of any shortcomings in training and the vehicles themselves that will help you push towards lowering the accident rate at your company.
