Fleetcraft

What is Duty of Care ?

' A requirement that a person act toward others and the public with watchfulness, attention, caution and prudence that a reasonable person in the circumstances would. If a person's actions do not meet this standard of care, then the acts are considered negligent, if this is proved in court damages and compensation may be awarded for the breech'.

As more companies address duty of care issues, the actions required by any organisation to prove 'reasonable' care are being raised and what may have been acceptable just five years ago is now simply inadequate.

The only sensible approach to this issue is to start addressing the problems now. It is probably easier and more cost effective than you would imagine!

Fleetcraft, Talgarth Business Park, Powys, LD3 0PQ. Tel : 0845 6445101

The legislation

The main legislation governing road safety is the Road Traffic Act 1988. This is supported by other information such as the Highway Code.

The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) also applies where staff have to use vehicles for work.

Essentially this means that all organisations have a duty of care and should have 'safe systems of work' in place which reduce risks to staff and others as far as possible.