Employers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees, and this includes taking steps to protect them when they are driving for work during winter weather. 

Tips for keeping your employees safe when driving for work during winter weather: 

Prepare the vehicles 

Before the winter season arrives, it is important to have all your work vehicles inspected and serviced by a qualified mechanic. This will help to ensure that the vehicles are in good condition and that they are properly equipped for winter driving. 

Things that should be checked include: 

• Tires: Tires should have adequate tread depth and should be properly inflated. All-season tires may not be sufficient for winter driving in some areas. Snow tires or all-weather tires may be necessary. 
• Brakes: Brakes should be inspected and repaired as needed. 
• Battery: The battery should be tested and replaced if necessary. 

• Fluids: All fluids, including antifreeze, coolant, and oil, should be checked and topped off as needed. 
• Lights: All lights should be checked and replaced if necessary. 

Train employees 

Employees should be trained on how to drive safely in winter weather. This training should cover topics such as: 

• How to brake and accelerate safely on slippery surfaces 
• How to maintain a safe following distance 
• How to handle black ice and other hazards 
• What to do if they get stuck in the snow or ice 

Have a plan in place 

In the event of severe winter weather, employers should have a plan in place for their employees. This plan should include: 

• Communication: Employers should have a way to communicate with their employees about weather conditions and travel restrictions. 
• Flexible work arrangements: Employers should consider offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flextime, to employees who are able to work from home. 
• Emergency procedures: Employers should have emergency procedures in place in case employees are involved in an accident or get stranded in bad weather. 

Monitor weather conditions 

Employers should monitor weather conditions and travel restrictions before allowing employees to drive for work. If conditions are too dangerous, employers should cancel or postpone travel. 

Encourage employees to speak up 

Employees should feel comfortable speaking up if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable driving for work. Employers should encourage employees to report any concerns about weather conditions or vehicle safety. 

Additional tips for keeping employees safe when driving for work during winter weather: 

• Provide employees with winter driving supplies. This may include items such as blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, and a first-aid kit. 
• Encourage employees to dress warmly. This will help to prevent them from getting cold and tired, which can impair their judgment and driving skills. 
• Encourage employees to take breaks. If employees are driving for long distances, they should take breaks every two hours to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. 

By following these tips, employers can help to keep their employees safe when driving for work during winter weather. 

The iProtectU health and safety software provides: 

• An inspection and Audit App which allows for safety inspection of the workplace and associated report 
• eLearning on safe driving for work 
• Scheduling functionality for managers to send eLearning, risk assessments and documents out to all staff via the software with tracks completion and compliance 
• Risk assessment templates covering driving for work 
• Management system to document control the policy on driving for work 

• Method Statement module for the creation of working instructions 
• Legal register that provides legislation guidance on driving for work 
• Incident investigation module that tracks incidents involving road use both with an app and via desktop 
• Hazard observation app where staff can report and record any concerns regarding driving as part of their job to the organisation 
• Asset management App ensuring assets are recorded in the software