Government-funded free training to help SMEs avoid costly at-work crashes

Brake, the road safety charity, is inviting small business owners with employees who drive for work to attend its free online training session on cutting costs by improving road safety.

The online training webinar is being delivered through Brake’s Fleet Safety Forum with the support of the Department for Transport, on January 30, and is specially designed for small businesses with employees who drive.

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.

“These events are the perfect opportunity for small businesses to access free advice on improving the safety of their employees who drive.

“Speakers will share simple, low-cost tips that will help small businesses save money and improve safety; I’d urge small business owners to take advantage of this free training opportunity.”

At-work road crashes are estimated to cost UK employers £2.7 billion a year. For any business with staff who drive for work, improving employees’ safety on the roads is essential in bringing down costs; preventing crashes, bumps and scrapes can deliver multiple business benefits like lowering insurance premiums, improving reputation and staff morale, and reducing lost time.

This online training session 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.

It will draw on Brake’s long-running experience of providing guidance through its Fleet Safety Forum and sharing best practice case studies among employers running all types of business.

The session will explore issues specific to larger vehicles, such as load safety; wheel security; blind spots and protecting vulnerable road users; vehicle maintenance and checking.  Speakers include: Graham Telfer, fleet manager, Gateshead Council; and John Eastman, fleet safety consultant.

For more information and to book, go to www.brake.org.uk/employers and click on ‘Brake’s essential guide for SMEs’.