4.3 Staff Driving on University
Business
Introduction Driving Safely at Work
Driving is a significant work risk (See www.dft.gov.uk/think and www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety ). Typically ten people are killed everyday on British roads and driving at work is probably the most dangerous activity undertaken by employees of the University. In law, all work activities have to be risk assessed, including driving (see 2.5 Risk Assessment). A generic Risk Assessment will suffice for travel on short, regular journeys using familiar routes, whether using hired, university or privately owned vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles. However, commuting to and from your place of work is not formally recognised as work related travel.
Policy
The risks involved in all University work related driving shall be
assessed and recorded.
All drivers must ensure that they comply with road safety and traffic
regulations. Suitable measures must be taken to ensure the risks are
adequately managed. An
accident report must be completed for work related
driving accidents. An
application
to drive hired vehicles on the university
insurance is available.
Procedure
- Before any journey, the travel options should be considered using
4.6 Travel Risk Checklist.
For regular and local journeys (typically less than forty miles)
a generic travel written risk assessment
(see 2.5 Risk
Assessment) is appropriate. When travelling long distances or on one
off unfamiliar journeys an individual travel risk assessment is advised. If severe weather
(eg icy roads and/or fog) is forecast and the journey is essential,
the safest means of transport should be considered.
Before a journey is undertaken by a member of staff with student passengers, the written travel risk assessment should be approved by the Head of the School. A signed copy should be held on record by the School's administrator for one year after the journey is completed.
Reimbursement for travel costs as set out by the University is dependent on having a valid motor licence and adequate insurance.
Drivers of University Vehicles, or vehicles hired by the University must have a valid certificate of driver competence which is attained by the successful completion of the University Driving Test. The test is arranged through individual School or Departmental Administrators. For the driving test form please follow this link.
All University mini bus drivers must be over 21 years of age, have held a UK
licence for at least 2 years and have an entitlement to drive vehicles with
a D1 classification. In addition, a mini bus driver must not have more than
6 penalty points on their licence and must be certified and authorised by
the Head of School or Department. Mini bus drivers will be retested every 4
years and should submit a copy of their licence to the School or Department
Administrator on an annual basis.
Drivers should be aware of the advice available on driver and road safety including the following:
- Vehicle check before travelling, driver sleepiness, route planning, fitness to drive www.rospa.com/drivertraining
- www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/INDG382.pdf www.brake.org.uk/index.php?p=81 http://www.dvla.gov.uk
- 4.6 Travel Risk Assessment
- 4.4 Policy for staff driving University vehicles
- 4.5 Policy for the hours of driving vehicles on University business.
June 2010
Warren Cole
Health Safety and Environment Advisor