Unity on Driver Safety

ESB and RSA to promote road safety in workplace

TThe ESB and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have agreed a landmark strategic alliance to advance their goals for safer driving over the next three years.

The new partnership will see the development of a three-year plan 'Achieving Safe Driving Excellence', to provide a best practice model for developing procedures governing road safety in the workplace.

ESB Deputy Chief Executive Johnny Shine said that ESB is committed to the highest level of safety performance in all its activities including its fleet and private vehicle driving. Implementing safe driving policies within the ESB has resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in serious collisions and a 20 per cent drop in material damage collisions between 2003 and 2008."

"This reduction in fatal collisions and in serious injuries has saved untold human misery and saved the exchequer approximately €28 million. In addition our motor insurance premia fell to 15 per cent of 2003 levels," he commented.

"Going forwardthe ESB is implementing a safe driving programme targeted at improving every facet of driving across its businesses and working towards the elimination of incidents and injuries associated with driving and transport activities. The creation of this strategic alliance with the RSA will allow us to tap into their expertise and will certainly strengthen our safe driving programme", he added.

Commenting on the Strategic Alliance, the Chief Executive of the RSA, Noel Brett said that driving for work involves risk not only for the driver, but also for their fellow workers and members of the public.

"As an employer or self-employed person you must, by law, manage the risks that may arise when employees drive for their work. The ESB has pioneered the way in this country when it comes to road safety in the work place. We are delighted with this partnership with ESB. It will ultimately lead to the development of a best practice model for employers to successfully enable them to manage the risks associated with driving for work", he added.

On a practical level the strategic alliance will involve implementing such measures as:

" ESB promoting its safe driving programme to other employers to demonstrate the benefits to employees and the business.

" Collaborating on new vehicle safety requirements associated with the introduction of new legislation and technologies such as electric vehicles.

" Sharing emerging technology advancements and identifying practical issues within Fleet Management and ways of incorporating them into the ESB vehicle fleet.

" RSA providing assistance to ESB in developing Safe Road Use training programmes

The ESB has a 'liveried fleet' of almost 3,000 utility vehicles but, in addition, 4,000 ESB staff use their own private cars on ESB business. These fleets cover almost 80 million kilometres annually. ESB is also an international company and many staff drive abroad, which introduces further hazards.

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