Keeping it safe
-
On the road
From a driving perspective, workplace safety covers a wide range of responsibilities, including whether a vehicle provided is fit for purpose and correctly maintained. In addition, it should be the company’s duty to ensure the driver is licensed, insured and not under pressure to complete too many appointments, and therefore drive too far or too fast. In many European countries, companies can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter, ‘As a result of serious management failures resulting in a gross breach of duty of care’. The key thing from a company’s perspective is that prosecutions will be of the firm itself, rather than individuals, though the directors, board members or other individuals can still be pursued separately under criminal or health and safety law. Simple processes can prevent problems, with regular checking of driver licences, vehicle maintenance, car safety tests and insurance documentation being the first steps. Additionally, it is important to ensure that drivers are aware of their own obligations too, in terms of checking tyres and vehicle wear and tear on a regular basis. There are many risk management experts in the marketplace that can give more detailed advice on how to ensure your company is safe from prosecution, should the unthinkable happen, but doing the basics right with a clear policy, adhered to, endorsed and enforced by senior management, is a good place to start.
-
Employee use of own vehicles for business travel
Ironically, in many ways the biggest danger to a company’s risk management strategy are vehicles not owned by the business at all. If a worker is required to use their own car for business, then they are subject to the same regulations as those drivers given a company car. So the business needs to know the vehicle in question is properly insured for business use over and above commuting, that it has been correctly serviced, has a current vehicle safety test certificate and the driver has a valid driving licence. This level of administration, sometimes for drivers who may only occasionally be required to use their car for work, has led to some firms switching to rental cars or pool cars. Neglecting privately owned cars in the fleet policy and administration terms could leave a company wide open to scrutiny and prosecution if something untoward happens while a worker is travelling on a journey while doing their job.
-
Optimum safety
In addition to the efficient 1.7 CRDI powertrain, the Kia Optima also is equipped with some of the latest active safety technologies:
Autonomous Emergency Braking System
This system uses long-range radar to identify and react to any potential collision with another vehicle or pedestrian.
More guides
-
Call us now 00 0000000000
