Brake, the road safety charity, is launching a series of free and low-cost webinars, seminars, and an accompanying guidance report, aimed at helping small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) avoid costly and potentially devastating at-work crashes.

The events and report are being delivered through Brake's Fleet Safety Forum with the support of the Department for Transport.

They will raise awareness of the main risks associated with driving for work, employers' responsibilities in managing these risks and benefits they can reap from managing them effectively, as well as giving guidance and practical examples of tried and tested ways to do this.

At-work road crashes are estimated to cost UK employers £2.7 billion a year.

For any business with staff who drive for work, managing road risk is an essential step in bringing down costs and avoiding an incident that could be catastrophic for those involved and the business.

Preventing crashes, bumps and scrapes can deliver multiple business benefits such as lowering insurance premiums, improving reputation and staff morale, and reducing lost time.

The events will look at practical, low-cost steps small businesses can take to save money, and protect their employees and the wider community from the devastation a crash can cause.

They will draw on Brake's long-running experience of providing guidance through its Fleet Safety Forum and sharing best practice case studies among employers running all types of fleet.

SMEs are being encouraged to book their place now on the following events:

  • Are your drivers working for? A free one-hour webinar on influencing driver behaviour to improve safety and cost efficiency, taking place on December 12, 2013.
  • Are your vehicles working for you. A free one-hour webinar on ensuring the safety of your large vehicles, taking place on January 30, 2014.
  • Big savings for small businesses. A one-day seminar on the basics and benefits of addressing at-work road safety, taking place in  February 2014 (dates TBC), Manchester and London.

By booking a place on either of the above free webinars, delegates can access a half-price rate on the seminar of £27.50 + VAT (normal price £55 +VAT).

Delegates of all events will get a free copy of the accompanying guidance report.

Key speakers include:

  • Dr Jim Golby, director, research and customer experience, Applied Driving Techniques
  • Graham Telfer, fleet manager, Gateshead Council
  • John Eastman, freelance fleet safety consultant
  • Jerry McLaughlin, director, economics and public affairs, Mineral Products Association

For more information and to book, go to www.brake.org.uk/employers and click on ‘Brake's essential guide for SMEs'.

Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said: "Brake's webinars are a useful contribution towards lowering incident rates in the workplace. I welcome anything like this which helps improve driver safety and saves UK business unnecessary costs."