Smoking Ban
New smoking laws come into effect in England on July 1 and companies who don't comply face fines of up to £2,500. Under the 2006 Health Act, all enclosed public places and workplaces will become smoke-free. This includes company cars, company vans, pool and hire cars.
Drivers will not be allowed to smoke in work vans, company vehicles, lorries or tractors, including company pool cars or vehicles used for multiple users as an employee forced to inhale stale smoke left by the previous occupant of the car could have legitimate grounds for complaint.
So employers and fleet managers will need to display no-smoking signs in shared cars and make sure they communicate the policy effectively to staff.
Employers have a duty to prevent employees smoking in a company vehicle and failure to comply with this duty could result in the company being fined in the Magistrates Court.
Employers are being strongly urged to start advising their employees of these changes or face total chaos in July when suddenly the whole of the UK becomes smoke free.
The Well -Driven.net scheme can help fleet managers enforce this law by receiving feedback from other motorists and road users relating to drivers smoking when using a company vehicle.
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Health & Safety at Work Act
This act requires the employer to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees (full or part time) whilst at work. This includes work-related journeys and covers all drivers whether they are in company vehicles, using their own vehicles for business use, temporary drivers or freelance, agency or contract workers.
The Act encourages fleet managers to "monitor" performance and ensure that your work-related road safety policy is effective.
Using the Well-Driven.net feedback service, you will be notified of all new incidents as soon as they are reported allowing you to produce statistical reports and analyse driver performance
* Content and publication courtesy of HSE.gov.uk
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