BSkyB embraces safe driving vision with comprehensive drivetech programme

10 January 2005

British Sky Broadcasting has launched a comprehensive occupational driving risk reduction programme in association with DriveTech (UK), the country’s leading provider of at-work driving risk management, driver assessment and driver training solutions.

BSkyB, the UK’s leading provider of digital television services, is a third of the way through a programme involving 200 company car drivers and 600 car allowance and casual drivers, some of whom clock up around 35,000 miles a year.

The initial scheme is expected to take 12 months to complete following BSkyB’s decision to fully embrace DriveTech’s triple-pronged approach of creating a safe fleet, allied to a risk-aware group of drivers.

Called The Journey, the all-embracing concept transports BSkyB employees along a clearly signposted A-Z risk management route. It began with an audit of the company’s existing occupational driving policies and procedures and recommended, where necessary, changes to improve management control in line with best practice recommendations by the Health and Safety Executive.

As a result, around 200 BSkyB people, mostly high mileage drivers, who have been deemed ‘most at risk’ have to-date completed an on-road driver training course. Starting this month lower risk drivers will undergo CD-Rom or online driving risk assessment to determine their risk exposure rating. A range of safe driving solutions, based on the risk rating, will then be offered to employees to increase their hazard perception. These will range from on-road driver training to e-training on a specific aspect of driving to frequent communication updates and additional advice for drivers rated as low risk.

Following the initial risk assessment, a raft of safe driving policies and procedures have been put in place including the publication of a new driver’s handbook outlining safety-focused initiatives to be adhered to while driving - such as specific rules on mobile phone use - and checks on employee driving licences are carried out through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency by DriveTech.

Mark Sayer, group head of health and safety for BSkyB, joined the company 18 months ago with the remit to achieve the highest level of safety possible across the company.

Improving the safety of occupational drivers, who include journalists, news crews and production managers for outside broadcasts, and working collaboratively with the vehicle fleet team is key among Mr Sayer’s objectives. BSkyB’s satellite equipment installers receive driver training under a separate programme.

Mr Sayer, who was previously the health and safety manager at Wiltshire Police for six years and witnessed many tragedies as a result of road traffic accidents, said: ‘We are a high-profile organisation and it is imperative that we have in place, and actively pursue, measures to reduce the potential for injury and fatalities among our driving employees. Occupational driving has been highlighted as a key risk area across the media industry.

‘Working with DriveTech has enabled us to put in a plethora of measures to support our employees and reduce the level of risk they face in their day-to-day driving. As a result we are also reducing the level of risk to the company.

We want to ensure all our staff have a safe environment in which to work on the road and, in the studio, we are giving them the skill sets to achieve our goal. By working closely with our fleet colleagues, we cover all aspects of road risk.’

Sara Cook, fleet manager at BSkyB agrees saying: ‘Minimising occupational road risk requires collaboration between health and safety, fleet operations and senior management. It’s because we are taking a seamless approach that we will reduce driver, vehicle and corporate risk within BSkyB.’

The all-embracing occupational risk management programme also includes training for new employees and driving licence checks, the investigation of accidents to determine if a repeat incident could be avoided through measures being put in place and in the future refresher training for staff.

Mr Sayer said: ‘Staff acceptance of our pro-active programme has been excellent. Employees who have so far received training have enjoyed it so much and seen the benefit that they have become ambassadors for the project. We have also had tremendous support from senior management, which is vital with the introduction of such a scheme.’

Jim Kirkwood, DriveTech’s managing director, said: ‘BSkyB is, without any doubt, leading the way in adopting a comprehensive approach to minimising occupational road risk. The very nature of its business means BSkyB employees often need to drive for long distances and have key deadlines to meet.

‘Therefore, with duty of care being a key issue, BSkyB has set off on a journey that will cover risk management, driver assessment and driver training solutions. We are absolutely convinced that their strategic approach, combined with fleet and senior management backing, will reduce risks to staff, deliver lower incident rates and offer significant financial and accountability benefits.’

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About DriveTech (UK)
DriveTech (UK) is the UK's leading provider of ‘driving at work’ risk management, driver assessment and driver training solutions.

DriveTech’s goal is to reduce both an organisation’s vehicle business costs and the personal risk for ‘at work’ drivers, by significantly improving driver ABC – attitude, behaviour and competence – therefore supporting driver safety and corporate ‘duty of care’ requirements.

DriveTech (UK) has won the Institute of Transport Management’s ‘Fleet Award for Driver Training’ in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

DriveTech (UK) can be contacted at enquiries@drivetech.co.uk, telephone 01344 467881 or via its website at www.drivetech.co.uk

For further information contact:

Ashley Martin (telephone 01733 390691) or Arthur Dalziel (01344 762890)

AWD Communications Ltd.