Vehicle safety

Current data indicates that the third most common workers compensation claims within the Disability Services area is for vehicle related accidents. It is therefore important that providers implement strategies to reduce the incidence of such events. The following responsibilities should be adopted:

Managers:

Ensure staff members and volunteers have valid NSW drivers license and verify annually
Review applicant's driving experience and consider a competency assessment
Provide drivers with induction training around operation of the vehicles and general safe driving training - see attached handbook which you can print in booklet format (found under properties on printer menu)
Provide refresher training on a regular basis
Validate that vehicle pre-use checks are being undertaken
Assess the nature of road risks in area of vehicle operations inclusive of seasonal extremes
Review the appropriateness of vehicle types and training to match the risks in their area
Ensure that there are documented procedures for responding to a vehicle breakdown, for responding to a crash or related incident and for assisting others
Ensure a roadside assistance scheme is in place
Review and analyse all vehicle incidents
Develop suitable grievance/discipline procedures to deal with staff who have repeat accidents.

Supervisors:

Ensure staff have properly maintained vehicles and all vehicle are checked prior to use.
Ensure staff are fully trained to meet the levels of risk encountered within their local driving environments
Escalate to Manager concerns about vehicle and staff capabilities being appropriately matched to the driving hazards
Ensure all vehicles supplied with equipment such as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, reflective vests, reflective triangles, emergency contact numbers, torch and other required emergency supplies
Review and analyse all vehicle incidents with the manager.

Staff:

Staff must apply normal hazard and risk management techniques in their day to day work and whenever driving ANY vehicle and check its condition before starting to drive. Certain driving environments will present a greater hazard than others. Staff must take the following actions to manage the risks:

Not to drive unlicensed
Not to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Conduct pre-use safety check of vehicle
Conduct a check of a bus prior to use
Ensure client is not sitting behind driver and is secured appropriately
Follow applicable road rules at all times
Take regular breaks from continuous driving as required but a minimum of every 2 hours
Not to drive 2WD in off-road environments
Report any vehicle accidents immediately
Always inform your Supervisor/ Manager when entering areas where there is an increasing potential for vehicle immobilisation
Report immobilisation events including your recovery from bogging as an H&S incident to enable better information to be gathered regarding the suitability of vehicles and the training provided to staff

See the attached draft safe driving handbook and HACC Best Practice Manual for more information.

Vehicle Safety

Ensuring the safety of people within a vehicle is important. Vehicles driven by numerous different people need to be reviewed to ensure optimum performance and safety. Following are some recommendations.

Ensure that you adhere to the manufacturer's specified service schedule.
Inspect all external lights regularly - grime can reduce their effectiveness by up to 40%.
Inspect wiper blades to ensure they clear the windscreen effectively.
Clean the windscreen and rear window. It may seem clean until you head into the sun and glare makes it impossible to see.
Check all fluid levels - engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windscreen washer fluid and the radiator coolant.
Check radiator hose condition and that hose clamps are tight.
Check tyre pressure and condition prior to use.
Ensure mirrors are present and oriented correctly for your use.

Seat belts

By law, all occupants of a vehicle must wear seatbelts at all times. If a seat belt is starting to show signs of wear and tear, (frayed, not retracting back) the vehicle needs to be seen by an authorized repairer.

Mobile Phones

Do not use a hand-held mobile telephone when driving; there are heavy fines for doing so. Pull over to receive or make calls or send/receive SMS.

Speed

You should only drive at a speed that suits the road, vehicle, weather conditions and your driving experience whilst assuring that you do not exceed the applicable speed limit for the road used.

Transport of clients

A risk assessment should be undertaken to determine if clients can be transported alone in vehicles but generally clients should not be seated behind the driver and must wear a seat belt. Where clients require mobility assistance a range of options should be explored to decrease the manual handling risk.

Source: Worksafe Victoria “Guide to Safe Work Related Driving”