Web chat with Dr Stephen Ladyman MP

Driving for Work

Posted by Tom Mullarkey on November 9th 2006

What steps will you be taking to ensure that, during their normal visits to workplaces, local authority and HSE inspectors promote the guidance, “Driving at Work”, which your Department and the HSE produced to encourage employers to include the management of at-work road safety in their normal health and safety practices?

This question is now closed.

HSE

Posted by Dr Stephen Ladyman on 09/11/2006 - 17:17

I'm talking to HSE and the minister who deals with this matter. They are aware of the seriousness of this issue I assure you.

Driving for Work

Posted by Tom Mullarkey on 09/11/2006 - 17:00

Yes, thanks, we are familiar with these reports.

We agree that the DfT is doing good work on this. But more pressure on the HSE is necessary. For example, whilst 212 people lost their lives at work last year, around 800-1,000 people died in work-related road accidents. The HSE is focussed on the 212 but takes much less responsibility for the 800-1,000. Could you ask HSE to give this a greater priority?

Driving at Work

Posted by Dr Stephen Ladyman on 09/11/2006 - 16:52

This is a big issue - have you seen the report the Motorists Forum did for us on this subject?

I'm working with the MF to move this forward and we are also looking at how we can improve our guidance. In addition, we are developing a CD ROM and web site to help get it over.

There are a number of other initiatives in train including the work HSE and TfL are doing on a Freight Operators Recognition Scheme.