Workplace Transport Safety
Safe Driver
Information Sheet
To effectively control workplace transport risks, the vehicle, the driver and the
working environment must be appropriately managed. This information sheet
provides guidance on the selection and management of drivers and operators of
vehicles and mobile work equipment. The information is aimed primarily at
permanent fixed places of work, however some of the information may also be
applicable to transient, temporary and mobile workplaces such as construction sites.
The information is aimed at employers, self-employed people and employees.
Introduction
Every year a proportion of workplace transport accidents can be attributed to the
vehicle or mobile work equipment being operated by untrained drivers or
inadequately trained drivers. Poor driver attitude, horseplay and driver error also
contribute to many workplace transport accidents. With appropriate driver selection,
the provision of instruction, information and training and adequate supervision,
workplace transport accidents and incidents can be significantly reduced.
Legal Provisions
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (No. 10 of 2005), requires that the
employer takes account of the employee’s capabilities in relation to safety, health and
welfare when assigning an employee to a specific task. For instance, when appointing
workplace transport drivers, the employer must ensure that the employee is not put
at risk by being given work they do not have the competence to undertake.
Under the Act, employers must ensure that their employees have the necessary
information, instruction, training and supervision, as far as reasonably practicable to
ensure their safety, health and welfare at work. Training must be provided to
employees:
On recruitment;
On transfer of an employee;
On change of task assigned to an employee;
On the introduction of new work equipment, systems of work or changes in existing
systems or equipment;
On introduction of new technology.
In summary, people operating workplace transport vehicles must be trained and if for
example, new attachments or in-vehicle technology are introduced the driver must
receive training with respect to these.
Under the law, employees must not engage in improper conduct or behaviour that is
likely to endanger themselves or others. Employees are also required to co-operate
with their employer to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation.
Note the above is not an exhaustive list of legislation that is applicable to workplace
transport. Other relevant legislation, for example the carriage of dangerous goods by
road and construction legislation may also be applicable to your operations and may
specify particular legal requirements for driver training.
Driver Selection
Careful driver selection is important so ensure that appropriate procedures are in
place. When selecting people to drive workplace vehicles:
Select employees who have the correct safe attitude to workplace transport and
have the ability to perform the job in a responsible, competent manner. Appropriate
selection will require an evaluation of age, experience, driving record and maturity,
as well as attitude.
Consider the employee’s physical fitness, such as health, eyesight, hearing and
mental ability to carry out the job. Where possible, match the particular vehicle
requirements, the task and situation with the driver’s fitness and capabilities. Do not
allow anyone who is unfit due to drugs or alcohol to drive a vehicle.
Carry out background checks; for instance, check the employee’s driving licence
background. Ensure that driver’s licenses or certificates are appropriate for the
vehicles they are driving.
If the driver has previous experience, assess them to ensure that they are
competent.
Authorise drivers in writing. Assess the driver’s competence to drive the vehicle and
then authorise them for each vehicle type they use.
Use of Contractors
When selecting contractors to carry out workplace transport operations on your
behalf, investigate their attitude to health and safety. Obtain relevant safety
documentation such as method statements, safety statements and training records
in advance so that they can be reviewed prior to signing any contracts.
If using contract owner drivers, specify your company standards for the vehicle
safety features such as mirrors, CCTV and seat belts. Specify standards for
maintenance and for driver training and experience.
Ensure good communications systems are in place. Hold briefings for regular
customers and contractors in order to familiarise them with your workplace and your
traffic management system.
Provide contractors with copies of site rules, maps, directions, hazard information
and requirements for personal protective equipment in advance of their arrival on
site.
Driver Training
The driver must be trained and competent to drive the vehicle being operated. The
level of training required will depend on the employee’s experience and the type of
work to be carried out. A comprehensive risk assessment will help establish the
training needs and level of competence required for the job.
For new employees provide induction training which should include information
about traffic route layouts, who is authorised to drive and information about
particular hazards.
Provide on the job training and information about workplace policies such as speed
limits and parking procedures. Ensure that drivers are trained in safe driving
practices, basic safety checks, proper use of safety features and how to report
defects. Ensure drivers are trained in how to safely secure loads and how to access
and egress vehicles safely.
Reassess the driver’s training at regular intervals and provide refresher training as
appropriate to ensure driver competence. Supplementary or refresher training
should be provided, for instance, if there has been a lapse in safe driving standards.
If there are technological changes to the vehicle ensure that the driver receives
training in such changes.
Keep records of training provided and update as required. The records should
include details of the vehicles that the employee is competent to operate.
Driver Instruction and Information
Ensure that the driver has a clear job description detailing their role and
responsibilities.
Provide the driver with a driver’s handbook which details the safe systems of work
and provides all the site and company policies and rules relevant to driving. Policies
may cover issues such as the use of mobile phones, in-vehicle technology, drugs and
alcohol, fatigue, parking, smoking, seat belt usage, driving hours and carriage of
passengers.
Provide appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE), for instance
High-Visibility jackets, safety boots or gloves, where appropriate. Ensure that drivers
have instruction in use of the equipment.
Ensure that all drivers including visiting drivers are aware of the site rules and
information on any restrictions on the type of vehicle that the workplace can handle.
Provide copies of site rules, maps and directions on the back of order forms or
invoices. Consider non–Irish nationals and provide site rules in pictogram form or
other languages as appropriate.
Monitoring and Supervision
The use of a driver authorisation or licensing system will assist in monitoring
drivers.
Consider keeping a central register of who in the workplace is competent to drive
which vehicles. This will assist in allocating tasks and keeping track of driver’s
abilities.
Where seatbelts are provided they should usually be worn at all times. In certain
circumstances the workplace transport risk assessment may identify limited
situations where the risks are very low and the seatbelt need not be worn. Consider
high-visibility seatbelts to aid monitoring of usage.
Monitor whether drivers are following the site rules and if not investigate why not.
Challenge and investigate unsafe behaviour and systems of work.
Ensure that there is adequate control of drivers including visiting drivers. Ensure
they drive at appropriate speeds for the site conditions and that authorised drivers
do not lend keys to unauthorised drivers.
Supervisory staff must have adequate training in order to carry out monitoring
activities.
Safe Systems of Work
When assigning work to the driver, consider the workload and the job design as
these can have a major influence on driver behaviour. Unrealistic deadlines may put
pressure on drivers and encourage them to work less safely or take short cuts.
Only authorised drivers should be allowed to hold vehicle keys. Put key control
systems in place. Instruct drivers to turn off their vehicle and remove the key when
they leave the vehicle.
Passengers must not be carried in workplace transport vehicles unless there is
purpose built passenger seating. Children should not be carried in workplace
transport vehicles.
Encourage drivers to improve their visibility to pedestrians by driving with the
vehicle lights on.
Ensure that there are documented safe systems of work such as for loading and
unloading, securing loads, vehicle defect reporting and accident and incident
reporting. Provide safe areas for visiting drivers during loading and unloading
procedures.
Basic Driver Rules
Follow the designated vehicular traffic routes. Know and adhere to site rules and
safe systems of work. Always park safely.
Do not drive when abilities are impaired for example, due to fatigue, ill health or
poor vision. If you feel you are not competent or fit to drive a vehicle, don’t drive it.
Inform your employer.
Ensure that you understand the operating procedures and safe operating limits of
your vehicle.
Wear any PPE provided. Keep PPE such as High-Visibility jackets to hand so that you
do not have to step out of the vehicle to retrieve such equipment.
Report any defects in vehicles or safe systems of work that you are aware of to your
manager.
Do not interfere with, misuse or damage anything provided under health and safety
legislation. Do not engage in horseplay or unsafe behaviour. Never attempt to climb
onto a moving vehicle or lift people up on pallets on forks of lift trucks.
Keep vehicles as clean and tidy as possible.
Further Information
Further information on safety and health in the workplace is available on our website
at [Link] or by contacting the Workplace Contact Unit at 1890 289 389.
Published in August 2008 by the Health and Safety Authority, The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street,
Dublin 1 © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the prior permission of the Health and Safety Authority.
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