VAN fleet operators must address three specific areas when introducing a health and safety policy.

This is the view of 1,000-plus fleet operator GeoPost, which believes fleets need to look at specification and procurement, where and how the vans are used as a first step to completing a risk assessment.

GeoPost's director of risk and transport, Charlie Shiels, said: 'Fleets must address these issues. As part of the risk assessment they should also consider any hazards relating to the operation, who is at risk from the hazards and how can fleets manage identified hazards.'

However, Shiels believes there is no easy fix for van fleets and operators must complete a risk assessment before introducing a health and safety policy.

Shiels said: 'Extending your health and safety policy to vans is not difficult but you need to understand the operation and any hazards, and specify your fleet accordingly.

'Train, train and train and record that you have trained. You will get commercial benefits from managing risk.'

As part of its risk management programme, Shiels said that GeoPost had reduced road traffic accidents across the group by 25% in the past two years.

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