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News release

20 November 2011 - NR 59/11

IOSH call to include work-related RTAs in official stats

A health and safety body is urging the Government to incorporate work-related road traffic accidents into official statistics.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) made the call today (Sunday 20 November) on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

As the world’s largest organisation for safety professionals with 39,000 members, IOSH wants to see work-related RTAs recorded and recognised under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995).

Richard Jones, head of policy and public affairs at IOSH, said: “Each and every death or serious injury on the road is a cause of deep regret. Nationally, we need to do more to improve our management of work-related road risk and prevent accidents. Employers have a moral and legal responsibility to look after their employees every mile of their business trips.

"If the Government insisted work-related road traffic accidents were reported as part of RIDDOR, employers would know more detail about accidents that commonly take place. As a result of knowing more, companies will be able to act on the causes of the accidents and work to reduce them.”

It’s estimated that 1.3 million people across the world lost their lives on the roads this year, and millions more were injured. Statistics show that in the UK alone one-in-three company drivers has an accident each year, and up to a third of UK RTAs are work-related.

Richard added: “Work-related accidents make up a large percentage of the total number of RTAs in the UK – this doesn’t need to be the case.

“Some of the most common causes of work-related RTAs are distraction, fatigue and time pressure. Where possible, employers should be encouraging employees to drive less by using technology instead of travelling to meetings, or offering the use of public transport, pairing up with other team members or even staying overnight. Employers expecting employees to drive as part of their job need to assess driver ability, provide good training and be flexible when it comes to travel times.”
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Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.