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Health and Safety Authority targets driving for work risk management in nationwide inspection campaign
Tuesday 7th July 2026
People who drive for work are 40% more likely than other drivers to be involved in a collision
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) today, Tuesday 7 July, launched a nationwide inspection campaign targeting driving for work risk management, with a particular focus on employers whose staff drive routinely as part of their work, whether as a primary or secondary role.
The HSA will target employers across sectors including construction, manufacturing, engineering, services, healthcare, local authorities, utilities and transport operations, to assess safety standards and drive improvements in occupational safety and health compliance.
During inspections, HSA inspectors will assess compliance with key legal duties, including:
- the inclusion of driving for work as a hazard in the employer’s safety statement,
- the carrying out of risk assessments for all driving for work activities,
- the implementation of appropriate control measures to ensure a safe system of work,
- ensuring that employees are fit to drive,
- ensuring that vehicles used for work (company-owned or private) are safe and fit for purpose, and
- ensuring employees are supported through clear instruction, information and training to make safe driving and journey decisions that protect themselves, their colleagues and other road users.
Deirdre Sinnott McFeat, Senior Inspector with the HSA, said,
“Employers have a vital role to play in preventing road deaths and serious injuries involving employees who drive for work. Effective driving for work policies can significantly reduce risk by ensuring that safety is prioritised over deadlines, productivity targets or commercial pressures.”
“This campaign is about ensuring that driving for work is managed with the same level of care and oversight as any other workplace risk. Employers who fail to properly manage driving for work are putting lives at risk and may face enforcement action.”
Driving for work is a high-risk activity. People who drive for work are 40% more likely than other drivers to be involved in a collision and it is estimated that driving for work accounts for one in three road collisions every year.
Health and safety law applies to driving for work in the same way as it does to all other work activities. Employers have a duty of care to ensure the safety of their workers, including when those workers are driving for work purposes.
Employers must carry out risk assessments to identify hazards associated with work-related driving and put appropriate control measures in place to protect both their employees and members of the public.
Effectively managing these risks reduces the likelihood of workers and others being killed or seriously injured in road traffic incidents. When employers prioritise safe driving, it also promotes a culture where workers are more likely to adopt safe behaviours.
To support compliance with legal obligations under occupational health and safety and road traffic legislation, employers can download the Driving for Work Risk Management Guidance for Employers.
For further guidance and resources please visit: