Road, Haulage & Logistics

Road transport is subject to more legal issues than almost any other industry. As a result, employers have a number of clearly defined statutory duties and responsibilities towards their employees and the public. These duties and responsibilities are set out in a number of legal Regulations and Acts of Parliament:

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management Regulations 1999

The Act gives employers a general duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably possible, the health, safety and welfare of their employees. The Regulations further require employers to assess the risk to health and safety of their employees, including reasonable care to avoid injury, disease or death.

This would include the prevention of drug and alcohol use since an employee under the influence would not only create a risk to themselves, but also to other employees and the general public.

Under this same legislation, employees are also legally required to take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions at work.

The Road Traffic Act 1988

This Act makes it a criminal offence for anyone to drive, attempt to drive or be otherwise found in charge of a vehicle whilst unfit through alcohol or drugs.

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

This Act makes the production, supply and possession of controlled drugs unlawful, except in certain clearly defined circumstances. An employer would be in breach of the Act and therefore committing an offence if he knowingly permitted activities involving controlled drugs, including the smoking of cannabis, to take place on his premises.

Drugs and Alcohol Screening

For businesses operating within a safety sensitive industry, screening and testing for drugs and alcohol use amongst the workforce is a simple and obvious way to protect their workforce and the public. This serves to address and reduce the risk of accident and injury.

Widely done as a reactive measure following an incident, many businesses now have routine random drugs and alcohol testing as part of a proactive approach to limiting risk within an overall company occupational health policy. Any strategy introduced as part of such a policy, clearly designed to prevent risk to others, is more likely to have the full backing of the workforce.

How Can We Help?

Healthcare Connections is occupational health company with many years of experience in the provision of medical and screening services to the rail and road industries. We know how important it is for all safety critical roadside workers to be healthy and fit for duty.

Figures from the HSE show that over the last five years, nearly 60 employees were killed and 5000 seriously injured in haulage and distribution whilst on the job. This represents a higher rate of accidents than in the construction industry.

We understand the risks involved in your industry and we can quickly assist you in the development and implementation of policies for on-going medical assessment and review.

For more information and assistance in identifying the requirements of your business please contact us.