The Driving Down Inequality campaign, from Driver First Assist, wants staff to receive first aid training because one in three road fatalities involve someone driving for work.
UK employment law change could affect millions who drive to work
The Labour Party government is being urged to prosecute businesses and employers if they fail to provide first aid training to employees who drive for work.
The Driving Down Inequality campaign, from Driver First Assist, wants staff to receive first aid training because one in three road fatalities involve someone driving for work.
David Higginbottom, CEO of Driver First Assist, said: “Employers have a legal and moral duty to protect their people, wherever they work. If you wouldn’t leave a warehouse or office team without first aid support, why is it considered acceptable for drivers?”
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Beverley Bell CBE, former Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain, added: “Companies have a duty to train their employees and ensure they are competent and safe to carry out their role. If you employ drivers, the same applies.
“Work-related road safety is still not given the same gravitas as on-site safety. Given that driving is the highest-risk activity most people do in their job roles, this baffles me.”
Alison Moriarty, Managing Director and Head of Compliance at Beverley Bell Consulting and Training, has backed the calls for the Labour Party government to act.
“Driving is a work activity – not ensuring your drivers are safe and legal exposes you to the same potential prosecutions as any other health and safety breach,” she said.
Driver First Assist’s training programme, developed with police, fire and ambulance services, helps employers bridge the gap between on-site and on-the-road safety provision.
And Mr Higginbottom added: “We want to see equality in workplace safety. Drivers deserve the same protection and training as anyone else. Safer roads start with trained people – and that begins with employers stepping up and leading the way.”
The warning comes as more and more workers commute to work using bikes and cars amid the summer months.