The message comes from Licence Bureau, which says that most businesses may be unaware of how many employees drive on business.

In response the fleet driving licence checking and compliance specialist is advising fleets that all businesses are obliged to guarantee – as much as is reasonably practical – that the health, safety and welfare of employees is properly managed in the workplace, which includes driving on business.

This includes making sure all employees remain compliant and aware of general company policy, including the driving handbook, using a mobile phone at the wheel, fatigue, general wellbeing and eyesight.

Employee audits should also include bespoke questions for any specific equipment or vehicles that staff operate. This is crucial for ensuring that any employees with medical conditions, which could affect their ability to carry out their work, is properly managed.

And with many fleets employing staff from overseas, the Hemel Hempstead-based company is also reminding fleets not to overlook basic Right to Work checks for employees, to verify their eligibility to work in the UK. This includes the checking of key documents – for all employees – such as driving licences, passports and visas outlining restrictions to the work they can carry out.

When necessary, comprehensive Right to Work checks on staff should be scheduled before and during employment, ahead of document renewals, properly preparing fleets in the case of an incident.

“In order to build a proper picture of all staff, Licence Bureau strongly recommends implementing bespoke audits for drivers and non-drivers, plus carrying out Right to Work checks on any necessary employees,” said Malcolm Maycock, managing director of the Licence Bureau.

“Without these, organisations could be liable for prosecution under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, posing a substantial risk to the business. Failing to recognise any unique circumstances that relate to employees driving on business could pose a substantial risk to a company’s risk prevention strategy.”