Workplace Transport and University Owned Vehicles

This site gives guidance on managing risks arising from:

•  Employees using University vehicles on or off campus.
• The movement of vehicles and pedestrians on campus

For information on safety requirements for employees using their own vehicles for work go to: Driving for Work

If you are responsible for workplace vehicles, your department or section may have local standards on how to control the risk. Speak to your line manager for more information. Otherwise, follow the links on this page to get more advice on the risks, how to control the risk and useful checklists. Your link health and safety adviser is also able for advice.

Driving university owned vehicles on the public road

Departments who own vehicles for use on the public road must have a health and safety standard covering:

• People: Authorising use, competence checks, licence checks, standards of behaviour
• Vehicle: Suitability for intended use, road worthiness, driver checks,  weekly check servicing and MOTs

Further guidance can be found in the HSE guidance Driving for work (indg382). It is also recommended that those developing departmental standards consult with their link health and safety adviser.

Workplace transport

The risks from workplace transport fall in four key areas.

• People - the driver, other road users and pedestrians
• Vehicle  - suitability for the terrain and work undertaken, maintenance and inspection
• Management of risk - risk assessments, training, communication and co-operation
• Site - traffic routes, transport surfaces, vehicle speed and safe manoeuvrability.

Simple steps can be taken to manage the risk from workplace vehicles. They include undertaking an adequate risk assessment, careful driver selection and training, regular vehicle inspection and maintenance, as well as good site safety.