Print VersionElf and safety
Does Santa’s sleigh meet the regulations?December 2009
In time old tradition, the festive season brings expectations of a visit from Santa as he travels the skies to deliver gifts across the globe in one night. But, like any commercial business operating under time and cost pressures, has he taken account of the health and safety regulations for his workforce, and got his sleigh in order?
In an era of growing regulation, health and safety is a key consideration for any business and a number of rules apply. The impact on fleet users can be far-reaching – for instance, HSE guidance states that employers are liable where there is sufficient indication that an accident is due to a failure in safety management.
So as Santa prepares for his annual trip what does this mean for him? He might have his elves busily wrapping gifts and have checked his delivery list twice, but will his sleigh take the load and see him safely through the big night?
According to Masterlease, all he needs to do is check this list to find out if he’s naughty – or complying by all the rules!
• Is his licence valid for driving a sleigh? It’s important for any business to regularly check the licences of their fleet drivers to ensure they meet their Duty of Care responsibilities. This is particularly the case if there are points on a driver’s licence, where more frequent checks may be necessary.
• Is his load secure and has he checked the sleigh won’t ride too low? These simple checks may add time but are essential to ensure the sleigh and presents are safe and will pay off in the long run by making for a smoother, incident free, dash around the world.
• What’s his annual mileage? Every mile takes its toll – whether its frequent short journeys, longer hauls or even Santa’s one year whistle-stop tour of the globe! Tracking mileage will help to keep vehicles and drivers on track.
• What insurance does he have in place, and does it cover international travel across land, space and time? Without the right insurance businesses risk a hefty fine under the rules of the 4th EU Motor Insurance Directive, which requires insurers of all vehicles to be identifiable on a central database. Meeting these rules and examining the types of policies in place can be complex, so getting the right advice is vital.
• Is he under pressure to work long hours to get the job done (we’d call 24 hours solid night time working ‘high pressure’)? In a period where we’re seeing businesses reduce headcount but experiencing a disproportional drop in workload, longer hours can become a trend. However, given the working time directive and the aim to reduce workplace accidents; it’s important employers carefully monitor their workers hours. For some the solution is to put a tachograph system in place to check drivers are taking regular breaks.
• If there’s an accident en route does he have a back-up plan in place – a magic, replacement sleigh or replacement reindeer even? While a common risk for any business, there are ways to reduce the risk the likelihood and manage the event when it happens. Simple items such as a high visibility vest and warning triangle are good on the spot tools but at a wider level an accident management service will provide a range of benefits and protection.
Robert Kingdom, head of marketing at fleet management specialists Masterlease said: “For all industries where driving is an intrinsic part of the job – even the mystical industry of toy-making at the North Pole – it’s essential that businesses are aware of their responsibilities and continually re-evaluate working practices to meet current regulations. With the festive season bringing with it wintry weather and shorter daylight hours, it’s a timely point to take stock of your fleet and driving for work policies – even if you’re Santa!
