The TTC Group is urging businesses to protect their employees in 2014 by looking at their work related road journeys.

The company said that with a third of all road crashes involving someone driving for work, businesses should be aware of the consequences.

TTC has a "toolkit" available to help managers through the process to help them  identify potentially where they are putting their drivers and the public at risk and what actions they can take to manage the risk. This will help them to comply with the law and save money as well.

"Work related journeys do not just include those carried out by professional lorry drivers but also company car drivers and people who use their own car for work", said Nick Lloyd, director of road safety.

Speaking on an internet webinar organised by Brake, the road safety charity, he said that firms should carry out audits to ensure work practices are in order, have a driving at work policy, risk assessment, a system to record accidents and controls in place to minimise risk.

Employees on work-related journeys were considered by the Health and Safety Executive to be "at work."

"Whenever your employees are engaged in work activities, you have legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure their safety," he told listeners who logged on to the webinar discussion.

Staff using their own cars must be insured for business journeys with checks made to ensure their vehicles were in good order with an up to date MOT and road tax, he said.

Work related road safety hazards should be identified by a senior manager who would consider the risk of vehicle overload, journey times, realistic work schedules and if people were driving home extremely tired after a long day's work.

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