D 6 Driver Fitness and Health www forsonline

D 6 Driver Fitness and Health www. fors-online. org. uk

Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) FORS is important to our company because it helps us: Demonstrate the quality of our operation Improve our road safety record To win / maintain work Remain legally compliant Become more efficient Reduce our environmental impacts Requirement: Fleet operators shall ensure that driver fitness and health is managed. www. fors-online. org. uk

Aim of toolbox talk The aim of this toolbox talk is to communicate the importance of managing your fitness and health while driving on work. By having regular medical check-ups and licence reviews it ensures the safety of both you and the public from occupational and lifestylerelated health issues. www. fors-online. org. uk

How this toolbox talk will help you This toolbox talk will explain why the company has policies on driving, licence checking and vehicle operation and why it is actively managing driver fitness and health. www. fors-online. org. uk

Fatigue and Eye sight www. fors-online. org. uk

Alcohol and Drugs Every year, about 90, 000 people are convicted of drinking and driving Driving under the influence of a drug is illegal The law does not treat illegal drugs and prescription medicines differently Drug driving is considered to be as serious as drink driving, and the penalties are the same Drugs affect your ability to drive in many ways Rule 95 & 96 of the Highway Code states: • Do not drink and drive as it will seriously affect your judgement and abilities. • You MUST NOT drive if you have illegal drugs or certain medicines in your blood above specified limits www. fors-online. org. uk

Daily Stress Events Driving is stressful What matters is that you recognise when you are under so much stress that it may be harmful Chest Pains Breathlessness Feeling sick or dizzy Headaches Sleeping problems Nervous twitches Pins and needles Lack of appetite Craving for food Tendency to sweat Constipation Diarrhoea Indigestion or heartburn Sexual difficulties www. fors-online. org. uk

How it should be done We do not authorise any of our employees to drive on company business if any of the following circumstances apply: You are banned from driving You do not hold a current valid driving licence permitting legal driving in the UK You have a medical condition that prevents you from driving You are on medication that will affect your driving capabilities You are unfit through drink or drugs or your blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit You have not read our driver fitness and health policy, handbook and associated documents You hold a provisional driving licence You have not completed the risk assessment process www. fors-online. org. uk

What can you do to help? Always drive within road traffic laws, safely and responsibly Follow your company’s fitness to drive policy Discuss any fitness and health problems or concerns you have with your supervisor Report any health issue that affects your ability to drive to the DVLA www. fors-online. org. uk

Minimise the risk Avoid medicines that can make you drowsy Get a good night’s Avoid undertaking sleep before a journeys long between journey midnight and 6 am Keep fresh air circulating in the vehicle Stop in a safe place if you feel sleepy Take regular breaks Share the driving if possible www. fors-online. org. uk

Your driving licence details 01 – Eyesight Correction Date when licence needs renewing 115 – organ donor www. fors-online. org. uk

Benefits of good fitness and health If we can ensure that driver fitness and health is correctly managed it will help to: Improve our safety record Reduce the opportunity for unintentional breaches of company policy and the associated disciplinary implications Make sure you meet driver licence/medical requirements and are not impaired through drink, drugs or fatigue whilst at work Reduce the likelihood of accidents and their associated cost, time and reputation loss Lower fines and penalty points or even being banned from driving www. fors-online. org. uk

How can you keep yourself fit to drive? Healthy eating Regular exercise Regular rests Regular eye tests Regular health checks www. fors-online. org. uk

Understanding the toolbox talk Why does the company have a driver fitness and health policy? What are the benefits of understanding our road safety policy for drivers on the road? What kind of medication or medical conditions may prevent you from driving? www. fors-online. org. uk

Driver fitness and health summary To sum up: We need to make sure the company road safety policy is being adhered to so that we can improve the safety of our drivers, our vehicles and to safeguard VRUs. You should now be aware of: What the company driver fitness and health policy covers How it applies to you as a driver The need for regular licence checking The need to report any health issues you might have which might affect your ability to drive Company procedure relating to drink, drugs and smoking www. fors-online. org. uk

Any questions ? www. fors-online. org. uk