Evaluation
A full evaluation of the current status of the organisation’s fleet safety system (where one exists) needs to be carried out, as well as a comprehensive investigation to identify hazards and assess risks associated with work-related driving.
Evaluation of current situation
An evaluation of the current situation is an essential first step for the organisation to take to better understand its fleet and driving operations. To assist in the process, an Initial Fleet Safety Review tool is provided in the tools and resources pages.
Hazard identification and risk assessment
A full and comprehensive hazard identification and risk assessment needs to be carried out and should be reviewed at least annually as part of the management review (see Audit and Review section). This review and assessment needs to be conducted by suitably experienced and qualified members of staff. The assessment needs to cover all aspects of fleet and driving for work activities and operations, including transport of personnel, material and goods.
An overview of a Hazard and Risk Assessment Process is included in the tools and resources pages.
The hazard and risk assessment information gathered from the review and evaluation needs to be documented within the fleet management system to demonstrate that:
• All known and foreseeable hazards associated with fleet and driving activities have been identified.
• The likelihood and consequences of an incident have been assessed.
• Controls to mitigate significant risks are in place.
• Emergency response measures are in place to mitigate the impact of incidents.
An example of a Fleet Risk Assessment Process can be found on the tools and resouces pages.
Risk management
Procedures need to be in place to select, evaluate and implement measures that eliminate or control risks. Measures should include actions that prevent the escalation of any incidents that do occur through an effective emergency response plan.
Managing and controlling risk is a combination of:
• Eliminating or reducing hazards at their source
• Isolating or controlling hazards
• Encouraging safe behaviours
• Applying protective measures to limit the consequences of an incident
The challenge is to adopt the most effective combination of measures (it is rarely appropriate to rely on a single intervention), while utilising scarce resources effectively to achieve the best result. These results, in turn, will need to be monitored to ensure the expected fleet safety improvements have been achieved. references
To assist management in prioritising actions, two guides are provided in the tools and resouces section. The first document lists a set of Minimum Fleet Safety Requirements, while the second Longer Term Fleet Solutions which are to be applied in a second phase of implementation.
For each item listed in the two documents there is a simple three criteria indicator of its likely effectiveness, its level of difficulty or ease for implementation, and its cost of implementing. The requirements, solutions and the indicators are for guidance only and can be modified to suit an organisation’s own specific needs and experience.
Finally, effective risk reduction measures and follow-up requires visible commitment from leaders, managers and supervisors in the operational line, as well as drivers who understand the measures and are committed to complying with them.
