The highly successful Drivers in the Workplace Seminars introduced over two years have again been rolled out during September in Melbourne and Sydney. Murcotts Director Geoff Thomas and Business Development Manager Darren McLeod headed up the seminars that target the key initiatives that will reduce crashes and claims for workplace drivers. More than 120 senior HR, Fleet and OH&S managers of some of Australia’s largest organisations attended the Victorian and NSW sessions. The intimate short half day sessions focused managers on the key systems that are most commonly overlooked in fleet and driver management programs. A pre seminar survey completed by participants profiled the gaps in existing approaches and benchmarked the ideal systems that are supported by international research. The legal implications for employers and particularly the liability for senior executives who fail to deal with driver risk factors at work were highlighted with many attendees surprised that even novated lease vehicles are captured under OH&S legislation. As discovered in previous seminars, the major risks exposure arises through poor driver recruitment, induction and performance management systems. Additionally many employers still fail to effectively investigate crashes based on a proven model and rarely are crash claims managed in consultation with fleet insurers. Geoff Thomas emphasised the importance of providing training and education as a component of a total system to ensure sustained safe driver performance rather than as a quick fix or single solution. “Don’t send drivers who have crashes to further training”, he said, “Find out why they failed to apply what they have previously been taught.” He suggests a conversation within the performance management process may be more helpful. A common concern by attendees was the lack of support from company executives about the risk factors and how to motivate them to support policy initiatives. In citing the transport industry experience Geoff Thomas said that unfortunately some business leaders will only elevate the driver management agenda when faced with prosecution or jail for negligence. As part of attending the seminars all managers left with a comprehensive mobile phone policy which they were invited to implement into their company procedures. To find out how Murcotts can work with your OH&S and HR departments and add value to your company’s bottom line, call Darren McLeod at Murcotts on 1300.555.576 | 
