Health, safety and driver wellbeing at work
Fit to drive, safe to work
Health and safety law applies to a self-employed driver as much as to a fleet. The core concepts: risk assessment of the routes and times you work; fatigue management; fitness to drive; lone-working precautions; and clear procedures for violence, aggression and emergencies.
Fatigue is the biggest silent risk. Long shifts, night work and irregular meals degrade reaction times before the driver notices. Plan breaks, keep to a maximum sensible shift, avoid driving when sleepy and never rely on caffeine or an open window as a substitute for rest. Rest breaks and the 48-hour average working week under the Working Time Regulations apply.
Medical fitness: DVLA Group 2 standards apply to licensed drivers, and conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease and significant visual loss must be reported. Eyesight should be checked regularly. Alcohol and drug use - including some prescription medicines - can destroy a career overnight.
Personal safety: assess the passenger before setting off, keep doors locked in traffic, use a personal alarm or CCTV where fitted, avoid isolated pick-ups where possible, and never carry cash loosely or count takings in view. De-escalate aggression by staying calm, agreeing, and stopping in a safe, public, well-lit place; do not detain anyone who refuses to pay - report it.
Report assaults and near-misses to the operator and police, and record them; some incidents are reportable under RIDDOR. Manual handling of luggage and wheelchair ramps causes back injury, so lift with the legs and get help.
Rule of thumb: tired, unwell or upset means not fit to drive - stop, rest, and hand the job back.