Last week, WorkSafe BC and the BCAA Safety Foundation launched a website called RoadSafetyAtWork.ca as on on-line toolkit for employers of workers who are required to drive as part of their job duties. The website contains "British Columbia's Preferred Practices for Occupational Road Safety" which includes instructions to employers to help ensure the safety of their workers while on the road. The Preferred Practices link sets out a 5-step plan for employers:
1. Get management to commit to safety;
2. Conduct a status review;
3. Identify risks and hazards;
4. Develop strategies; and
5. Plan for Action
Although these 5 steps sound fairly vague and general, the website provides concrete and specific ways of implementing the plan. For example, "getting management to commit" includes guidelines around data management, communications, organizational structures, road safety policy and procedures, and even management style. Notably, the practices apply not only to employers that are in the business of driving (such as transportation) but any employer that requires any of its employees to use his or her own vehicle for business persons.
Although the website is designed as a resource for employer, it may be that WorkSafe will soon use the "preferred" practices as the measure to assess an employer's compliance and due diligence under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Employers should therefore measure their current road safety practices against these new WorkSafe preferred practices.
For more information, visit FMC's Occupational Health and Safety Law Blog at www.occupationalhealthandsafetylaw.com.
About Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC)
FMC is one of Canada's leading business and litigation law firms with more than 500 lawyers in six full-service offices located in the country's key business centres. We focus on providing outstanding service and value to our clients, and we strive to excel as a workplace of choice for our people. Regardless of where you choose to do business in Canada, our strong team of professionals possess knowledge and expertise on regional, national and cross-border matters. FMC's well-earned reputation for consistently delivering the highest quality legal services and counsel to our clients is complemented by an ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion to broaden our insight and perspective on our clients' needs. Visit: www.fmc-law.com
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
