Employers have a general duty to provide a safe working environment for their employees. This duty extends to employees who drive as part of their work, either in a company vehicle or in their own vehicle, where they receive an allowance from their employer for miles driven. Up to one third of all road collisions involve drivers who are using their vehicle for work. This means that around 100 people die in work related road crashes in Ireland each year.

A recent Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Health and Safety Authority (HSA) publication, Driving for Work: A Guide for Employers was launched on 15 June 2009.

In addition to the Common Law “duty of care” that employers owe to their employees, Irish health and safety laws specifically require employers to put proper measures in place to protect the health and safety of their employees. However, a large number of Irish businesses do not have a driving for work policy as part of their health and safety management system.

The Guide complements existing health and safety legislation by setting out, in clear terms, the manner in which employers should approach managing driving for work and is essential reading for all employers who have employees driving for work. 

Key sections of the Guide include:

• an overview of road safety law, including road traffic law, health and safety law and EU rules on driving;
• key steps to be followed to manage driving for work; and
• a guide to conducting a driving for work risk assessment.

Although only a Guide, it is important to realise that it is likely that a Court will pay attention to the Guide if relevant to an action taken by an employee against an employer.