It’s black and white around grey fleet safety

Business owners could unwittingly be putting themselves at risk of significant legal and financial consequences through failing to enact duty of care surrounding their grey-fleet drivers.

Venson Automotive Solutions has found that almost a third (28%) of working adults are still hybrid working with 16% solely working from home.

If an employee’s place of work clause in their contract has changed to home working, their privately owned car will automatically join the ranks of the grey fleet, when used for work related travel.

Employers who are unaware of their legal obligations to ensure staff-owned vehicles used for work related travel are properly maintained and legally compliant, may be unknowingly missing duty of care requirements.  

Simon Staton, client management director of Venson Automotive Solutions, said: “Employers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees. With around half of UK drivers admitting to skipping essential servicing and vehicle repairs amidst the cost-of-living crisis, it is more important than ever that processes are in place to manage aspects such as driver licence checking, insurance validity, vehicle condition and mileage audit amongst grey fleet vehicles.

“Businesses and fleet managers, therefore, need to review their Driving for Work policies as working from home looks set to stay for some businesses.”