SC08 - Travel on Council Business

The nature of the work undertaken by STFC necessitates that some employees travel extensively in the course of their employment. Travel, particularly by car, is the major cause of work-related fatalities in the UK. Travel on council business is therefore a significant safety hazard for staff in the course of their work. The STFC has a ‘duty of care’ responsibility under the ‘Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, 1974’, to “take care of the health, safety and welfare of its entire staff”. This responsibility extends beyond work at STFC sites and includes instances where staff travel on council business or conduct work at non STFC sites in the UK and overseas. The STFC expects staff to demonstrate an equivalent commitment to take reasonable care of their health and safety while travelling, and driving, on council business. The nature of travel arrangements, especially by car, necessitates that flexibility and pragmatic judgement is applied to ensure traveller safety. This code sets out the controls and policies adopted by STFC to minimise the likelihood of injuries or ill health arising from travel on council business.