{"id":7287,"date":"2023-03-24T11:59:14","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T11:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chevinfleet.com\/en-au\/?post_type=training&p=7287"},"modified":"2024-09-23T13:53:39","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T12:53:39","slug":"compliance-and-fleet-risk-management","status":"publish","type":"training","link":"https:\/\/www.chevinfleet.com\/en-au\/learning-zone\/compliance-and-fleet-risk-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Compliance and fleet risk management"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Compliance and risk management is an important consideration for fleets\u2026<\/h3>\n

But how can you ensure that all requirements have been met?<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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For fleet operations, minimising risk is essential for avoiding costly fines,\u00a0reducing accidents<\/a>\u00a0and associated legal fees, and ensuring the safety of your employees and other motorists.<\/p>\n

Effective fleet risk management practices are also driven by compliance with a growing number of regulatory and insurance requirements.<\/p>\n

Running a compliant fleet poses challenges \u2013 there\u2019s a legal minefield to navigate and risk assessment needs to fill, however, most importantly you need to understand what is expected of you, and what need to be done to meet those all-important management obligations.<\/p>\n

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Definitions<\/h3>\n

So, we know that both compliance and fleet risk management are important, but what do these terms actually mean?<\/p>\n

Compliance is a requirement for vehicle operators and the companies that employ them, often driven by a growing number of local regulations, as well as demands of insurance providers. It\u2019s often viewed a burden but is crucial to the running of any business.<\/p>\n

For fleet operations, compliance produces benefits in lower costs for accidents; fines and violations and expenses for insurance<\/a>; replacement vehicles; workers\u2019 compensation and legal fees.<\/p>\n

Fleet risk management is the practice of identifying issues that could make a fleet non-compliant or unsafe, determining a framework of programs and practices for making improvements. The ultimate goal of any risk assessment is to ensure safety \u2013 specifically in the case of fleet, for its drivers and other motorists.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fair to say that, much like other highly debated fleet topics, there is no \u2018one size fits all\u2019 solution when it comes to compliance and fleet risk management, however, adopting a common set of tools, programs and practices is a very good place to start.<\/p>\n

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What makes a compliant fleet?<\/h3>\n

In order for your fleet to become (and remain!) compliant<\/a>, there are four key variables that must be treated with the highest priority. These are:<\/p>\n

Vehicles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whether issued as a company car or personally owned by your employee, any vehicle that is used for business purposes must be fit for purpose. Additionally, it must be inspected regularly, maintained correctly and equipped with the correct safety provisions.<\/p>\n

Drivers<\/strong><\/p>\n

All employees who operate a vehicle for business purposes, no matter how infrequently, must be fully trained to operate the class of vehicle to which they are allocated. Made aware of your Company\u2019s safety policies and standard before even setting foot in a vehicle, they must also be in good health and \u2013 perhaps most importantly \u2013 hold a valid driving license.<\/p>\n

Operations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trips involving both company and personal vehicles must be planned in advance, routed and structured to help ensure safety and minimise risk. Work schedules must be realistic, with reasonable working hours and rest breaks allocated for each individual driver. Consideration also need to be given to unforeseen variables such as adverse weather conditions and other operational delays.<\/p>\n

Management<\/strong><\/p>\n

All vehicles used on company business, drivers and operations must be managed based on pre-established and documented rules and regulations. Such documents should outline responsibilities; routines; tasks and processes, while employing effective monitoring and analysis capabilities.<\/p>\n

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Identifying the right tools<\/h3>\n

Even with a comprehensive approach to compliance and risk, your efforts in each of these areas can too easily fall short of expectations, however, if you put the right tools and technologies in place, compliance and risk management does not have to be complicated\u2026<\/p>\n

For example, commonly used\u00a0GPS tracking solutions<\/a>\u00a0can be highly effective for monitoring and recording vehicle activity and whereabouts \u2013 information that can then be used to identify compliance with schedules, routes and regulatory requirements.<\/p>\n

The growing number of telematics systems on\u00a0today\u2019s vehicles enables driver behaviour to be monitored too<\/a>, which provides an opportunity to proactively address unsafe practices \u2013 such as speeding and harsh braking \u2013 which can cause accidents.<\/p>\n

Fleet management software<\/a>\u00a0also plays a key role here, as enterprise systems can integrate data from tracking systems, making it possible to generate detailed analyses. In turn, that information can form the basis of compliance management processes that are implemented by Companies looking to minimize risk.<\/p>\n

REMEMBER:<\/strong>\u00a0Tools that empower drivers and managers to take control of compliance should be easy-to-use, both on the road and back at the office. They should also enable ease of access to required documentation, for roadside enforcement activity.<\/p>\n

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And risk, how should this be assessed?<\/h3>\n

While fleet operators have a responsibility to assess and manage risk associated with workplace activities, risk assessments do not have to be complicated, overly technical or time-consuming.<\/p>\n

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Simply, all it takes is a common-sense approach that includes:<\/p>\n