Management of Occupational Road Risk Case Study

Case Study: South West Highways

Risks reduced, profits enhanced. Thanks to a self–funding

driver training programme

www.drivingambition.ltd.uk

South West Highways Ltd (SWH Ltd) is heavily involved in protecting, developing and enhancing the region’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, railways, buildings, coastal and flood defences.

The company operates a fleet of over 500 vehicles and about 550 of their employees are required to drive as part of their job (sometimes using their own vehicles on company business).

SWH Ltd’s Insurance & Risk Manager, Ailsa Collins, was well aware of the company’s duty of care regarding these drivers and the fact that the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2008 threat-ened very heavy penalties for those who failed to effectively manage this occupational risk.

She was also aware of the added business benefits that would result from an effective driver training programme - lower fuel, vehicle maintenance and insurance costs, plus less time wasted on the administration that follows any accident.

The company began by using a risk mapping service where all drivers took an online test – but nothing was done to follow through on the results. A few drivers also undertook one-to-one training sessions and some underwent SAFED training, but this did not go nearly far enough.

Ailsa was still left with the problem of finding a provider who could offer a truly comprehensive solution and total peace of mind.

Background

Challenge


As Ailsa did further research she came across someone who gave Sandra Pennyfather at Driving Ambition a glowing recommenda-tion which encouraged her to contact Sandra.

Solution

From the moment I spoke to her”, explains Ailsa, “it was clear Sandra had an excellent grasp of all the issues and challenges we were facing. She was very quick to understand our unique require-ments and take on board what we already had in mind. She created a truly bespoke solution that was precisely tailored to our needs.”

“The Driving Ambition proposal was very profes-sionally presented to our senior managers, expertly demonstrating how the three year pro-posed programme would be self funding thanks to improved fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance costs and lower insurance premiums.

“ “


The proposed three year programme covered all SWH Ltd occupational drivers and involved:

⇒ Developing a small number of employees to RoSPA Gold Standard

so they could take on the responsibility for risk assessment of all operational drivers and maintain up-to-date risk assessment files for all these individuals

⇒ Delivering workshop training to all SWH Ltd drivers to raise awareness of the risks and their responsibilities whilst driving for the organisation

⇒ Delivering on-road driver training to all directors, senior managers and all drivers assessed as presenting the highest level of risk to the organisation

⇒ Delivering tailored reverse-gear training to all those SWH Ltd staff who drive on and off site.

The Proposal


Develop policies, procedures and documentation to ensure SWH Ltd complies with current Health and Safety/Corporate Manslaughter legislation, plus:

⇒ Reduce the number and severity of collisions.

A 10% reduction in vehicle repair costs - anticipated saving £6,512 pa

⇒ Give SWH a strong case for reducing insurance premiums.

A modest 1% reduction - anticipated saving £2,355 pa

⇒ Reduce reverse gear collisions through improved manoeuvring skills.

A 25% reduction - anticipated saving £9,157 pa

⇒ Reduce fuel consumption through improved driving.

A 5% reduction in fuel costs - anticipated saving £75,316 pa

⇒ Reduce vehicle wear and tear — e.g. trained drivers change gear 50% less frequently.

A 10% reduction in wear and tear - anticipated saving £124,420 pa

⇒ Reduce the impact on the environment

A 5% reduction in fuel consumption would reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 250 tonnes pa if offset - anticipated saving £1,880 pa

The Goals

TOTAL ANTICIPATED SAVINGS: £219,640 pa These savings more than cover the cost of all the fees

for the three year programme


If SWH Ltd did not implement the proposal they risked incurring a fine of up to £7.5 million in the event of a road accident where they were proved negligent. What’s more, the directors would be liable to serve a term in prison for Corporate Manslaughter. In addition, the adverse publicity would severely damage the reputation of the organisation – given that 60% of their income is from the public sector this would have a very adverse effect on profitability.

TOTAL POTENTIAL SAVINGS £7.5 MILLION

The three year programme is now underway and early indications are that all of the objectives will be met, or exceeded.

⇒ As far as insurance premiums are concerned an 8% saving has already been achieved. This has already produced an annual saving of around £23,000 – way above the projected £2,355 figure in the proposal!

⇒ Annual fuel savings and reduced maintenance/repair costs are not available yet, but drivers have noticed a marked improvement in fuel con-sumption thanks to the training!

⇒ One car driver reports a 50 miles per tank im-provement while an employee with a Ford Ranger is now getting an extra 70 miles!

Risk

Results


Ailsa Collins

The participants have given extremely positive feedback, praising the Driving Ambition trainers highly. I’m confident this enthusiasm will be a powerful catalyst that helps to change the attitudes of all our drivers in the future.

“ “

Andy does 40,000 miles a year as a site agent. Although he’s an advanced HGV 1 driver, and used to drive fire engines, he found the training excellent. “It was a real eye-opener... very good, very professional.”

He’s convinced it helped him avoid a potentially fatal accident. “I was in the fast lane of the motorway, thinking about overtaking a car that was travelling alongside a lorry. The lorry wob-bled slightly and I felt something was not quite right, so I hung back like they said.....the lorry had a blow out and the driver of the car over compen-sated and span across the road in front of me.

A few years ago, before I had my ROSPA, I would have been charging through and right there in the middle of it. The car came right across in front of me and I saw the whites of his eyes as he went into the barrier backwards!”

As well as noticing a dramatic improvement in his fuel consumption, and realising this will make huge savings across the company, he believes there are other benefits. “We’re a very visible company, clearing up the road traffic accidents, doing the repairs and gritting. It wouldn’t look good if we were constantly bumping into things or if someone’s driving round like a lunatic – it would get us all a bad name!”

SWH Assessor

Andy Bryant

Colin was working as a mobile fitter when he had a head on collision in his van. “It was my fault, and I lost my licence for a year. My boss stuck with me and let me get to sites by bus. I wanted to repay him and the company. I also wanted to get my driving sorted, and do everything possible to make sure it never happens again. Plus I wanted other people to realise the seri-ousness of what they’re doing every day – one hand on the steering wheel, looking out the window... in re-ality its deadly, like walking up the street with a loaded shotgun!”

“I’d already had to take an extended test, to get my licence back...but I was struggling to drive at all, let alone pass a test” Colin continues. “I had a brilliant instructor who was also a psychologist. Then I went on the course to be an assessor. I can’t praise the in-structors enough - they have this brilliant way of ap-proaching people, of putting things over.”

The way he drives is rubbing off on those around him. “I drive under the legal limit, and I’m very attentive. The guys who come in the van with me, they know my history. And I’ve noticed, when I’m the passenger, they do the same.

If one more person avoids an accident, and goes home safe, then you’ve won, haven’t you?”

SWH Assessor

Colin Soper


Ben Pyle,

Managing Director

In an urban environment my perception of driving has changed. I use third gear more regularly and this has reduced my overall speed. I have made up to a 10% saving in fuel consumption since I have undertaken the training, which was quite a surprise and will clearly benefit us as a company overall.

“ “

Results

In terms of less tangible benefits the company is now protected against the risks posed by a potential charge of Corporate Manslaughter. This removes the worry of a custodial sentence and gives peace of mind to directors.

But it also reassures all employees that they work for a responsible organisation which takes care of its staff, is working to reduce its environmental impact and which is proactively taking steps to ensure the company’s image and revenue are not adversely affected by a high profile prosecution.

Driving Ambition promised that the programme would be self funding and it is already abundantly clear that this will be the case. In fact the entire cost will be recouped in the first 12 months and there will

massive savings of over £200,000 a year, every year, going forward.

Driving Ambition 01749 345 636


[email protected]

⇒ Providing all levels of driver tuition for any type of vehicle

⇒ Specialists in developing corporate fleet road-risk strategies

⇒ Dedicated to saving lives and improving road-safety

Documents

Management of Occupational Road Risk Case Study