TTC Group

The TTC Group were featured on BBC 2’s Working Lunch programme in which companies get the latest national business news.

Trainers at the Telford firm, which runs courses for the corporate world, were filmed delivering a course to Shropshire civil engineering firm McPhillips (Wellington Ltd) at TTCs training HQ in Hadley Park.

TTC Group Director Graham Wynn warned viewers about the importance of corporate driver training with the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter Act in April next year which will make senior managers and directors more accountable after a fatal work related crash.

TTC Development Manager John Price showed how some medicines were made up of almost one fifth alcohol which most people were unaware of as they never read the label.
Another display showing the confusion around the varying strengths of alcohol and how it is served in larger glasses was also broadcast during the lunchtime programme.

“Many companies are already aware of changes in the law and have taken proactive steps to manage occupational road risk by putting policies in place. But a culture change is needed among some company bosses to ensure their employees safety on the road,” said Malcom Jones, the company’s national training manager.

“This new law is very real indeed and managers need to prepare now. It puts the onus on employers to ensure risk assessments are carried out and recorded in writing. Measures must be put in place to minimise and manage the risk to all company drivers and there must be a proper detailed audit trail.

“But this is not bleak news for companies, it can be turned into a benefit for them. Not only will you be contributing to the safety of your employees by reducing road crash statistics but your business will be more profitable with fewer crashes, fuel savings and lower insurance costs for your fleet managers.”

The legislation is being introduced to turn the tide of work related road deaths on the UKs now often traffic clogged routes. With one in four crashes involving people who drive as part of their job the incidents of prosecution are expected to rise.

“A company now has to do much more than just pay lip service to these regulations. It is a very important health and safety issue,” said Mr Jones, whose award winning company is a major contributor to UK road safety. They were recently highly commended in both the Fleet Service Provider of the Year and Road Safety in the Community awards run by road safety charity Brake.  

To ensure your company complies with the Corporate Manslaughter Act:
• Designate a director to be responsible for managing occupational road risk
• Communicate clear messages to staff about road safety, through a series of policies
• Set up systems and allocate duties to key members of staff
• Carry out risk assessments
• Use these to check that they are doing all that is “reasonably practicable” to avoid risk on the road and to ensure safe driving
• Provide adequate driver training
• Monitor and review performance  
     
Companies need to ensure safe journey planning by avoiding the trip, if possible, or using car sharing or other transport. Vehicles need to be fit-for-purpose and properly maintained with extra safety features where necessary – avoiding gadgets that can distract drivers.

Managers should avoid systems of work which cause employees to speed such as “just in time” delivery, payment by number of calls made, early start and finish when work done, unrealistic guaranteed call-out or delivery times.

Staff must not be asked to drive while tired and at times of day when falling asleep at the wheel is more likely. Consider employees’ sleep deprivation at home if they are looking after sick children and avoid introducing driver distractions such as mobile phones and hands free.

Look at potential health impairments, driver fitness issues and alcohol/drugs which can affect employees ability to drive safely. Plan the safest routes, avoid congestion, crash sites and adverse weather. If a journey at the start of day is over 100 miles, or two hours, consider travelling the night before.

“We believe that all companies should have a drug and alcohol policy that makes employees aware of the risks of being over the drink drive limit the morning after and know how prescribed and over the counter medicines can and do affect driving performance. This policy can be integrated into their road risk strategy.”

Assess drivers’ attitudes and driving competence, log crash and penalty points and analyse and learn from crashes and “near-misses.” Driver assessment could be used to target training at those with greatest needs.

Train line managers, consult safety reps, require senior managers to lead by example and recognise, celebrate and reward safe driving achievement.

The TTC Group can help you through this potential minefield with quality advice, policies and training. We can also advise on driver profiling – to help target training most effectively and Telematics – to increase efficiency. Contact the TTC Group for more information on 0845 270 4363 or visit www.ttc-uk.com