DRIVING FOR WORK POLICY
All drivers authorised to drive on Knepp Castle Estate business must adhere to the following Driving for Work Policy: –
- Comply with National Laws and the requirements of the Estate.
- Due care must be taken at all times and drivers to be especially mindful of free roaming animals on the estate roads
- Take care when driving in close proximity to tenants properties and public rights of way
- Notify Julie Alexanderif their driving licence circumstances change in anyway throughout the year (this to ensure they remain insured)
- Maintain their private vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition if they use it for driving on Estate businesso
- Do not smoke in any of the Knepp Estate Vehicles
- Notify the Estate office straight away if they notice any problems with condition or running of any Knepp Castle Estate vehicles
- Report any health problems which may impair driving to the DVLA and to Julie Alexander. If you take a regularly prescribed medication, you must check if this needs to be notified to the DVLA (Medical Conditions and Driving) before driving. Alicence to drive must be granted by the DVLA before authorisation to drive on Estate business can be given
- DO NOT use mobile phones whilst in a moving vehicle while driving.
- DO NOT drink alcohol and drive. Do not take any drugs –prescribed or otherwise which may make you unfit to drive a vehicle.
- Be aware of the Estate’s Lone Working Policy and ensure they do not become vulnerable when driving in or to remote areas.
- Everyone MUST report all ‘at work’ vehicle incidents collisions or near misses to the Estate Office as soon as possible. This includes incidents occurring with use of private vehicles whilst on Estate Business or in the Estate.
- All Drivers are recommended to have membership of a breakdown organisation in case of emergencies.
There is furtherguidance on these andother driving issues on websites at end of document
Your Employer’s Responsibility
“Health and safety law applies to work activities on the road in the same way as it does to all work activities and you need to manage the risks to drivers as part of your health and safety arrangements.”
(HSE “Driving at Work” Guidelines for Employers)
Therefore, Knepp Castle Estate needs to ensure that you are legally entitled to drive the vehicle, and are properly trained, competent and fit to drive it safely. There is a checklist at the end of this document that needs to be completed and returned by every driver.
Knepp Castle Estate also has systems in place to ensure that their vehicles are safe and roadworthy. They also have policies and procedures in place to manage the risks involved in driving for work.
Your Responsibility
As driver, you must ensure that you are properly licensed, insured to drive for work, fit to drive, and comply with road traffic and other Laws when driving.
As an employee or authorised driver working for the Knepp Castle Estate, you must understand and follow the Estate’s Driving for Work Policy. This document will help you work with the Estate to avoid accidents and injuries to yourself, your passengers and other people on the road. It includes general information and guidance about safe driving, vehicle checks, drivertraining, driverfitness, speed, alcohol/drugs, mobilephones and other distractions, passenger safety, and reporting accidents and incidents. Please take time to read this.
Using a Company Vehicle
Knepp Castle Estate will make sure that all of their vehicles are properly registered, taxed, insured, serviced or inspected according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and have a current MOT. This includes any hired in vehicles or those on lease.
They will need to check your driving licence, at regular intervals, to ensure that it remains valid for the vehicle you are driving.
Company vehicles for Knepp Castle Estate may include, ATV mules, Pinzgauers, passenger vehicles, tractors (withfore-loaders, trailers or other trailed implements) as well as the electric car and other road vehicles. It may also, from time to time, use dumper trucks, mini diggers, forklift trucks and other similar construction vehicles. It is vital that each driver has the appropriate licence for the vehicle they will be driving.
Using Your Own Vehicle for Work
Even if the vehicle you drive for work is your own private vehicle(not commuting), Knepp Castle Estate has the same legal duty to ensure it is safe and legal when it is being used for work, as they have for company vehicles.
In order for the Knepp Castle Estate to be able to check you are compliant with these regulations regarding validity of driving licence, condition and safety of your vehicle, ability and fitness to drive and the vehicle tax and insurances. This will be required on an annual basis.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE DRIVER AUTHORISATION CHECKLIST
at the end of this booklet &return it to Julie Alexander in the Estate office.
Further advice is available in RoSPA’s leaflet: –http://www.rospa.com/rospaweb/docs/advice-services/road-safety/employers/work-own-vehicles.pdf
Fitness to Drive
Your physical and mental health plays a major part in your fitness to drive. You must inform the DVLA about any medical condition that may affect your ability to drive safely.You must inform the Knepp Castle Estate of any health issue or personal circumstances that may affect your driving.All information will be treated confidentially.
Further advice is available at
www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving AND www.rospa.com/rospaweb/docs/advice-services/road-safety/employers/work-drink-drugs.pdf
Vehicles – Secure Loads
Heavy, Full or Unusual Loads
- It is illegal and dangerous to drive a vehicle that is overloaded or has an insecure load. As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring that any load you carry is legal and safe, even if it was loaded by someone else.
- Ensurethe vehicle is not overloaded. If you are not sure you can take it to a public weighbridge.
- Remember whether driving a car or a van; do not cram as much as you can physically fit into it.
- Put items in the boot rather than the passenger compartment and distribute the load evenly.
- Avoid loose items on the dashboard or rear parcel shelf –they will become missiles if you crash.
- If you are carrying animals or livestock, please ensure they are secured safely in suitable carriers which are fit for purpose
- When driving, remember to account for how the extra weight affects the vehicle’s handling and stopping distances. Check whether tyre pressures should be adjusted when carrying a full load.
- Only use a trailer if you have the correct licence entitlement, and you have suitable training.
- Make sure you know how to connect the trailer correctly and that this is done, including electrical connections. Ensure it is not overloaded and that weight is evenly distributed and securely covered. Make sure no items are sticking out.
- If carrying trailers with livestock, please ensure it is fit for purpose and that any animals are secure and safe inside.
Accidents Breakdowns and Emergencies
Your employer should have procedures for emergencies, such as accidents or breakdowns. It is essential that you are familiar with, and follow, these procedures.
See Accidents and Breakdowns below for Knepp Castle Estate procedures.
- Keep the following information at hand
- Company emergency procedures or policies
- Contact details for the person(s) to whom you should report emergencies
- Contact details of the breakdown firm and/or any reference numbers that you may need to quote
- Details of your motor insurance policy and contact details for your insurer.
Make sure you have a fully charged mobile phone to summon help if necessary, but don’t use it while driving.
Accidents
STOP
It is an offence not to stop road traffic collision or road traffic accident if your vehicle is involved and damage is caused to another vehicle or property or someone is injured
- Use hazard warning lights and switch off your engine
- Do not move someone who is injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury from other vehicles or from fire or explosion
- Call the emergency services immediately; provide them with information about the situation, any special circumstances (for example, if carrying oxygen bottles) and if any passengers have special needs
- If children are present, ensure an adult remains with them
- Give first aid if required and if you are competent to do so
- If the emergency services are called, stay at the scene until they allow you to leave
- Obtain the names and addresses of all independent witnesses (if possible)
- Ensure the vehicle is roadworthy before continuing the journey
- If there is any injury or the names of people involved are not exchanged, you must report the accident to the Police as soon as possible or in any case within 24 hours
Record and Report the Accident
- Report the accident to your employer. Ring and inform the Knepp Estate Office 01403 741235, your line Manager, or Jason Emrich (Estate Manager)as soon as possible.
- Give them as much information as possible -you may need to discuss the details further at another appropriate moment to avoid to ensure it is logged properly, and to update the risk assessments to ensure it does not happen again.
- If you are involved in a collision, sketch the scene (or take photos), if you can do so safely.
Breakdowns
- Move the vehicle off the main carriageway and switch on the hazard warning lights, this is not possible, move it as far away from moving traffic as you can
- Move passengers out of the nearside of the vehicle and as far away from it and other traffic as possible. No one should stand between the vehicle and oncoming traffic
- On major or busy roads, passengers should be taken onto the grass margin and as far from the traffic as is practicable
- Keep passengers together, and children and animals under constant supervision
- Ring the emergency services, or breakdown firm, giving them accurate details of the vehicle’s location, the phone app What Three words or GPS signal, as this will enable the Police and other services to accurately pinpoint your location.
- Ring your nominated contact person to tell them what has happened
- Ring and inform the KneppEstate Office 01403 741235, your line Manager, or Jason Emrich the Estate Manager as soon as possible.
