Tough approach pays dividends at SSE

The firm has a fleet of 3,700 vehicles, including 2,000 vans and 1,100 cars, and SSE’s focus on road risk management has resulted in the organisation becoming a ‘business champion’ under the Government’s ‘Driving for Better Business’ programme. Employees drive both company and private cars on business around the country visiting various sites.

There are also drivers operating out in the field, carrying out work linked to power distribution, power generation, the maintenance of street lighting and other activities, some of which include the use of specialist HGV plant and equipment.

As part of its safety programme, SSE insists that all journeys of 250 miles or more in any one day are subject to a full risk assessment before being completed by the driver and must be signed off by the employee’s line manager prior to the commencement of the trip.

In addition, any driver involved in a road crash with another vehicle who is considered to be at fault, or any driver who has committed a breach of road traffic regulations, is suspended from driving a company vehicle until an investigation has been carried out, with the option of then undertaking a driver assessment.

The firm ensures that all new employees know how seriously safety is taken. Those who are inexperienced are subjected to a driving assessment prior to being granted a ‘permit to drive’ at work.

Furthermore, any driver who is suspected of driving below the standard of a reasonably competent driver, or is the subject of a complaint, is also required to undertake an assessment.

Access

To ensure that drivers have access to training whenever they need it, SSE is carrying out inhouse training of driving assessors. They will be required to attain a minimum standard in respect of their own driving ability as well as their ability to diagnose, rectify and offer coaching to fellow employees. They are also taught how to prepare reports and how to respond to incidences of bad driving among employees.

Within 12 months of qualifying as an assessor, the trainer is also required to pass the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advanced test at a minimum silver standard.

Management support is a vital part of the safety drive at the company. The road safety command structure is led by chief executive Ian Marchant and cascades down throughout the company to teams of ‘driving champions’.

This ensures that strict standards of driving are properly enforced as everybody has to follow the same rules.

As an example of how seriously SSE takes safe driving, a company spokesman said: “A new employee had their driving assessed prior to taking up a role in London which required the individual to drive on a daily basis.

“It was established that the standard of driving from this individual was so bad it was unsafe, but the person concerned was not prepared to accept constructive advice or assistance. It was found out that this person also has a history of road rage. These facts were established before they were issued with a company vehicle, and as a result they were offered alternative employment which was declined.

“The assessment was carried out by a company safe driving adviser, who was able to provide constructive, detailed and precise reports thereby avoiding any allegation of collusion, and is an employee who is qualified to offer expert advice and opinion.”

In the near future, the company will start to introduce a three-to-four year roll out of its driver assessment programme where over this time every company driver will be assessed with checks being made on their driving safety, Highway Code knowledge, hazard perception and eyesight.

Again, this is being led at board level and Mr Marchant and the board have already been through the assessment to show their support.

Their support shows recognition of the wider business benefits of running a safe fleet. For example, last year SSE paid out more than £1million as a result of company vehicles being involved in road traffic accidents.

It is estimated that this figure will reduce substantially following the introduction of the multi-faceted safe driving programme, but it is too early to forecast an exact figure.

The spokesman added: “It has already become apparent that the outlook on driving is changing for the better within the company.

“Specific areas are now targeted such as excess speed, driving too close and use of mobile phones, and the company has adopted a zero tolerance policy in respect of poor driving standards. Safety on the road is now at the top of the safety agenda as a result of having driving specialists. Information being passed to employees is now consistent, which is the key to a successful policy.”

Goals

A number of long-term goals are now on the agenda, such as the training and assessment of young apprentices and employees prior to being given access to a company vehicle.

A three-yearly assessment of all company drivers will be rolled out in conjunction with the issue of a three-yearly renewable driver permit which will contain details of all driver qualifications – currently the permit lasts for life and is an A4 sheet of paper.

There will also be improved administration of driver training records and driver licence checks will happen at least twice a year, if not quarterly. Employees will also be encouraged to attain a RoSPA advanced standard of driving, while there will be an investment in training aids.

“Driving is an integral part of working for SSE due to the very nature of the business, and to this end it has been recognised that employees are most at risk whilst out on the road,” said the spokesman. “Members of the executive together with the health and safety team have recognised the need to have within the organisation, specialists who can address these issues and educate and assess those individuals who, in the short-term, have been identified as being in need of assistance to raise their driving standards, and who, in the longer-term, can raise standards at all levels throughout the company.”

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