Workplace Report February 2007

Health & safety news

Driving with fatigue kills

A fifth of accidents on long road journeys are caused by fatigue, and 10% of company-car drivers admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel, according to a new survey carried out by the RAC Foundation and the website Company Car Driver.

The survey also revealed that more than half of companies are "not at all" supportive of their drivers working from home or using public transport.

Employers' duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 include safety while occupational driving. Safety reps should ensure that their employer has included driving as part of its health and safety policy, carried out a risk assessment and reduced the risks from fatigue, lone working and the use of mobile phones while driving.