BSI cannot give a specific cost or timescale for a company achieving BS ISO 39001 certification as there are many variables between companies, such as their size, fleet numbers, multiple sites, and level of risk.

However, companies that already have an integrated occupational health and safety system (OHSAS 18001) can benefit from discounts of up to 20%.

Jamie Bogg led the Mark Group to become the first company to meet the new British Standards Institution’s BS ISO 39001.

He says: “A business that takes risk assessment seriously will have some procedures in place.

BSI does the gap analysis to tell you where you are at present and what you need to do to be at the next level.”

Understanding risk

Suzanne Fribbins, BSI product marketing manager, says: “BSI helps companies and organisations to understand risk.

"That risk can cover a wide number of elements, such as death, injury, driving behaviour, seatbelts, alcohol, vehicle maintenance, route planning and even the basics of having the correct driving licence.

“All of BSI’s standards, as well as European and UK legislation, are designed to help with best practice.

"They also help smaller companies with a framework to guide them, even if they don’t go for full certification.”

From a business perspective, Fribbins also notes that companies that manage risks more effectively are also more likely to succeed in growing their business.

External audit

When you need an objective assessment

Bob Holbrey, technology director at FMG, says: “People are a business’s most important asset, so you need to protect them.

"Every fleet is different, so every solution is different.

"When looking at risk assessment, we have to take in a vast amount of information so we can deliver deliver a logical response. It’s a mix of finding the right products and processes to be compliant with legislation and a company’s needs.”

Before approaching an external auditing or fleet management company, there are some basic questions a fleet manager, and the whole company, should be asking of themselves to establish what is required.

Andy Price, practice leader of motor fleet at Zurich Europe, says: “A business needs to look at management systems, driving procedures, health and safety, legal liability, driver selection and induction, vehicle selection, accident management, grey fleet and telemetry, as well as driver training.

"It’s a lot to consider, but the three important areas for a fleet manager to look at are management, the driver and the journey.”

For an external audit, companies can approach their insurer for advice on specialist companies to use and can also ask for some initial free advice.

Many insurers will help companies to put in basic procedures to help with risk assessment.

These start with simple measures such as checking driving licences on a weekly or monthly basis and making sure the licence is appropriate for the vehicle the employee is using.

Regular checks to implement also include vehicle documentation for condition and insurance, which is also important when using grey fleet as part of your business.

An insurance company may have its own auditing division, such as Zurich, or they may recommend an external company to carry out a risk assessment audit.

Whoever carries out the audit will be looking to identify every potential risk and its possible effects on your business.

An audit will also recommend how to minimise risk and establish processes to manage risk.