A FIVE-point action plan for company directors on health and safety has given fleets a blueprint to prepare for new rules that could revolutionise the way they operate.

The Health and Safety Commission document spells out demands for companies to be focused on safety from the boardroom to the company car parc.

'Directors' Responsibilities for Health and Safety' calls for the 'board to:

• Accept formally and publicly its collective role in providing health and safety leadership', while nominating a director to champion health and safety issues.
• Accept their individual role in health and safety leadership for their organisation and then ensure purchasing decisions 'reinforce' rather than damage health and safety intentions.
• Encourage 'active participation of staff' as a vital element of health and safety policy,
• Recogne that 'all workers have a duty, while at work, to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their actions.'
• ensure it is fully up-to-date on health and safety issues.

HSC chairman Bill Callaghan said: 'The best companies have told me that health and safety is the first item on the agenda of their board meetings and I want to see every company adopting that policy.

'Health and Safety performance is an important part of doing good business. Those who cannot manage health and safety cannot manage.'

• For copies of Directors Responsibilities for Health and Safety call the Health and Safety Executive's public enquiry line on 08701 545500