ASSISTANCE: Brake launch seminar series
Brake are launching a series of free and low-cost webinars, seminars and reports to help SMEs avoid costly and potentially devastating at-work road crashes.
The road safety charity will deliver the events and report through their Fleet Safety Forum, with the support of the Department for Transport.
They will raise awareness of the main risks associated with driving for work, employers’ responsibilities in managing these risks and benefits they can reap from managing them effectively.
Guidance and practical examples of tried and tested ways to do this will also be provided.
Ellie Pearson, Senior Professional Engagement Officer at Brake, said: “Driving is the most dangerous thing many people do at work, so it’s vital for businesses of any size with staff who drive for work to manage this risk.
“Ensuring the safety of staff driving on work time can also deliver significant business benefits, such as reduced insurance premiums and improved reputation.
“We know SMEs face particular challenges in addressing this issue, which is why these events will feature experienced business managers and experts giving practical, simple, tried-and-tested steps SMEs can take.
“I would urge all SME managers to book on now, to get to grips with how they can reduce their company’s road risk, to protect their employees, members of the public and their business.”
The events will look at practical, low-cost steps small businesses can take to save money, and protect their employees and the wider community from the devastation a crash can cause.
They will draw on Brake’s experience of providing guidance through their Fleet Safety Forum and sharing best practice case studies among employers running all types of fleet.
At-work road crashes are estimated to cost UK employers £2.7billion a year.
SMEs can book their place now on the following events:
- Are your drivers working for you? December 12, 2013. Free one-hour webinar on influencing driver behaviour to improve safety and cost efficiency.
- Are your vehicles working for you? January 30, 2014. Free one-hour webinar on ensuring the safety of large vehicles.
- Big savings for small businesses. February 2014 (dates TBC), Manchester and London. One-day seminar on the basics and benefits of addressing at-work road safety.
By booking onto either of the above free webinars, delegates can access a half-price rate on the seminar of just £27.50, plus VAT.
Delegates of all events will get a free copy of the accompanying guidance report.
Key speakers include Dr Jim Golby, of Applied Driving Techniques, Graham Telfer, Fleet Manager at Gateshead Council and John Eastman, a freelance fleet safety consultant.
Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said: “The UK has one of the best road safety records in the world and improving this record remains a top priority for the government.
“That is why we have increased fines for using a mobile at the wheel, made it easier for the police to tackle bad driving behaviour and we are looking at how we can improve young driver safety.
“Brake’s webinars are a useful contribution towards lowering incident rates in the workplace.
“I welcome anything like this which helps improve driver safety and saves UK business unnecessary costs.”
Image courtesy of Ryan Weisgerber, with thanks.
