Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

Managers need to get their hands dirty to meet duty of care responsibilities

Why you and your staff need to make sure your cars are checked regularly. By Hitachi
changing a tyre LR
Fewer than half the drivers surveyed knew how to change a wheel

Share

21 September 2008

Simon OliphantWhy basic vehicle checks are so important, by Simon Oliphant, chief executive, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions 

RESEARCH from the Institute of Advanced Motorists shows that, on average, seven out of 10 employees say they are not offered even basic training on vehicle safety checks.

When driving a business-supplied car, or even a personal car used for business, employers need to ensure their staff are maintaining their vehicles properly. On grounds of both safety and reliability.

It is important to underline the message that duty of care should extend to each individual business driver -particularly for small businesses that may not have the scope to employ a dedicated car manager.

Basic checks of

  • fluid levels;
  • lights;
  • wipers;
  • tyres and
  • glass

could save small businesses large sums of money in the long term. Breakdowns, costly repairs and potential accidents can all be avoided by simply keeping a watchful eye on key vehicle maintenance.

A car check day for staff is one way to encourage employees to start thinking about these important but simple checks. In fact, we’ve just had a staff car check day here at Hitachi.

Managers should be encouraged to participate in a dedicated day during which they take employees through basic safety checks on their vehicles – both company and privately owned. This will equip employees with knowledge that will enable them to regularly carry out simple checks to maintain vehicle safety.

Education is an important part of any business practice. And steps, as simple as these, can ensure that employees are kept safe, happy and on the road.

 

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

Latest news

Top