Company directors are being urged to take a greater interest in health and safety after it was found that many fleet operators find it difficult to secure board level backing for implementing new safety initiatives.

Recognising this, the Health and Safety Executive has produced a booklet aimed at directors which stresses the importance of leading from the top.

It explains how to set out policy agendas in order to run a safer business.

Board involvement is particularly relevant with the corporate manslaughter bill due to come into force next year.

Julie Jenner, ACFO chairman, welcomed the HSE’s guidelines and believes that it is paramount that directors are made aware of the health and safety issues relating to fleet management.

“One of the most common considerations at fleet events today is health and safety yet it’s one of the hardest issues for fleet managers to get on board members’ agendas,” she said.

Paul Taylor, fleet manager at Morgan EST, welcomed the HSE’s initiative, saying that “the difficulty is making directors understand issues of driver risk.”

Corinna Parkhouse, of Lloyd Maunder, agreed that once the barrier has been broken, directors can be made to understand the concerns of fleet managers.

“I’ve had the occasional issue, spending money on driver training for instance, but my directors are open to health and safety ideas – checking licences and private vehicles – especially with the corporate manslaughter bill coming in,” she said.