How are business vehicles affected by the new Health and Safety Laws?

Did you know that there have been revisions around vehicles in the workplace under the new Health and Safety Act? This is significant as organisations with company vehicles has gone up by more than 40% since 2001.

Good health and safety practices are an essential  part of the modern day workplace.  Organisations which have fleet vehicles need to have a proper understanding of their responsibilities around worker safety.

In a nutshell, here are the key changes you need to know.

Updated Definitions

Person Conducting Business or Undertaking- This replaces the word employer. PCBU can range from a self-employed person all the way up to a large multinational company.

Officers- This is anyone who is in a senior role within the PCBU and includes decision makers whose choices can influence the direction of the organisation.

Workers- Anyone who is doing work for a PCBU.

Workplace- Any place where a worker goes or is going to go while they are working; this includes vehicles.

Level of Control Needed for Employers

As an employer under the new laws, you’ll first need to have a good working knowledge about the risks and hazards associated with work vehicles. After this, you can start looking at training options which can empower workers to operate in a safe, low risk manner.

You must ensure that the safety controls which are implemented are fit for purpose. They also need to be suitable for the nature and duration of work and ought to be monitored for effectiveness.

The penalties for neglecting the new laws are even harsher than the old ones, so it’s much better to be safe than sorry.

Key Questions you should be asking about:

Vehicle Selection

1. Does it meet my needs and fit for purpose?
2. Have you considered Driver comfort and Ergonomics of the vehicle
3. Is it a cost effective option?
4. Have I put the right safety inspections in place?

Licenses and Servicing

1. Does the vehicle have an up to date WOF, Rego and License?
2. When was it last serviced?
3. How do I monitor this going forward?

Drivers of the vehicles 

1. Does the worker have a valid drivers license and how do I monitor this?
2. Do the workers effectively communicate and uphold the safety measures?
3. Are they provided with annual training and ongoing review?
4. How are you monitoring their behavior and driving infringements?
5. Do workers keep a logbook of the distances they travel?
6. Are the workers medically fit to operate the vehicle?

At Driveline, we can provide you with great advice on how technology solutions can help you keep on top of your vehicle fleet and manage your Health & Safety obligations. This includes our very own fleet management system, which helps organisations manage their vehicle costs and OSH compliance in an easy and affordable way.

If you would like to know more, feel free to give us a call on 0800 275-374 or fill in the form below and someone will be in touch with you very soon.