One of the more frequent questions I am asked in relation to OHS &W is whether business operators need to provide training to staff required to drive as part of their work duties.
As with most OHS&W questions there are multiple answers, many of which depend on a number of factors.
Start your engines: steps to ensuring safe driving practices in your workplace
The first step for a person in control of a business or undertaking (PCBU) is to ensure that any employees required to drive as part of or most of their role are competent drivers i.e. they must hold a current licence for the class of vehicle they are driving.
In addition, WHS legislation requires that the PCBU must provide drivers with the information, training and instruction necessary to provide the best possible protection from any possible risks associated with the driving component of their role.
To demonstrate these requirements, let’s look at some ‘fictional’ real-world examples that commonly arise:
Driver safety in the workplace: some “real world” examples
Example 1: Primal Bread (fictional company)
Primal Bread is a growing Tasmanian business, fast gaining a reputation for producing delicious fresh batches of this popular gourmet breads and pastries. The company employs onsite bakers, whose role is mainly to turn out these heavenly loaves and slices. However, Primal Bread has yet to find a reliable delivery contractor … meaning the bakers are sometimes required to dust the flour off their hands and jump into the van themselves.
As a part of the pre-employment induction process the PCBU for Primal Bread should ensure that:
- The baker holds a current licence for the class of vehicle they are required to drive.
- The PCBU has a copy of the licence.
- The PCBU provides the baker with formal documentation outlining that there may be a requirement to drive within the road rules as part of their employment contract.
- The PCBU provides formal instruction and training on the risks and controls associated with driving a vehicle used for the purposes of the business. The information should identify that these risks include but are not limited to the following:
- Securing loads inside the vehicle
- High visibility clothing requirements
Example 2: Pretend Plumbing (fictional company)
Pretend Plumbing is a growing business which has the sole licence in the state for installing brand new, high-tech plumbing product that saves metered households 50 per cent on their water bills. To cope with demand, Pretend Plumbing has just employed a batch of new apprentices, who are all required to drive on a daily basis.
As a part of the pre-employment induction process the PCBU for Pretend Plumbing should ensure the following is established:
- That all apprentices hold a licence for the class of vehicle they are required to drive.
- That the PCBU has a copy of all licences.
- That the PCBU outlines to the apprentice in formal documentation that driving is a requirement of the employment contract.
The PCBU should advise the apprentice in formally of the risks and control measures associated with driving a vehicle used for the purposes of plumbing, and that these risks include but are not limited to the following:
- Safe carrying of hazardous materials such as gas bottles.
- Securing loads on top of and inside a vehicle.
- Maximum overhangs for pipes and other long materials during transit.
- The use of warning flags.
- The use of high visibility clothing.
- Handling types of hazards that may they may encounter e.g. icy road conditions.
- Driver fatigue management such as how often you should stop for a break when driving.
- The “types” of “driving” the apprentice should be aware of that require specialist skills and that these should not be undertaken without authorisation such as:
- off-road driving
- driving of high risk class licenced machinery such as a forklift
How do I apply this to my business?
As you can see from these examples, the task of driving a vehicle, and the hazards associated with driving differ depending on the industry you work in. If driving is required by employees, PCBUs should be aware that this may mean some extra training in company policies and risk control measures, over and above the drivers’ basic competence.
In a nutshell, this means you as the PCBU are responsible for the creation and implementation of a safe driving policy, and training in the requirements of this policy.
But don’t worry, training be integrated into daily tasks to save time, and make it easier for new employees to take on the new information in a practical way. This also saves training time for the PCBU.
In most of the aware365 literature, you will note the importance of including everyone involved in your business in safety policies and procedures is consistently highlighted. It is essential that everyone within a business understands the importance of the safe driving policy, and that employees are trained appropriately in how these policies translate into the reality of day-to-day business operations.
Do I need to be trained to train my employees in safe driving practices?
There are no specific requirements under the new WHS laws regarding the qualifications of the person responsible for training employees in safe driving practises.
This means there is no reason why you cannot provide in-house training for drivers that hold a current licence in the class of vehicle required, using current safe driving policies as a reference. You just need to make sure training is: adequate, suitable, covers legislative requirements, takes into account the type of the work and the risks the driver may encounter in their work day and covers the control measures implemented to minimise the risks.
Final words: on the road to safer driving
As you implement your safe driving policy, remember that training should be pitched at your audience; in other words, think about phrasing the training in language that is simple to understand. Perhaps even consider including examples that apply to your business. This is not because we underestimate the skills of workers, but because we understand that new employees in particular are often taking in a lot of information as they get to know the way your business works. Simple clear language backed by examples will help your employees remember key points faster.
During training, we also strongly recommend emphasising the importance of communicating and reporting any changes in health that may affect an employees’ ability to drive safely. For example, impaired eyesight, reduced mobility or bouts of dizziness.
Finally, as with all safety training, you cannot afford to remain stagnant. Risks change, legislation changes and your business changes.
So, like all your other policies, it’s important to have a simple system in place that helps you stay on top of safety requirements, keeps your employees and contractors safe and protects your business.
If you would like to find out how aware365 can help you do this in an affordable, efficient way, give one of our consultants a call today.
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Rob
