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Last updated: 24 March 2026
Driver safety in construction isn’t only about what happens on site. The duty of care also covers driving for work — including travelling between jobs, deliveries, and journeys to and from construction sites.
A small industry survey in June 2017 (Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, reported by What Van?) suggested some construction businesses weren’t doing the basics consistently: 28% said they didn’t invest in driver training and 17% said they didn’t carry out driver risk assessments. The survey covered 50 UK construction businesses, so it’s best treated as a warning sign, not a definitive picture of the whole sector.
Why this matters: driving for work is a health and safety issue
HSE is clear that driving for work is one of the most dangerous activities many workers do, and employers must manage the risks in the same way as other workplace risks.
That means you should be able to show you’ve planned and controlled risk — not just reacted after something goes wrong.
A practical compliance checklist for construction firms
1) Do a driver risk assessment that matches real exposure
The 2017 survey suggested many firms either didn’t assess driver risk, or only did it infrequently.
Good practice is to set a rhythm that fits your work (for example: on joining, after role changes, after incidents/complaints, and at planned intervals).
- Licence checks and right-to-drive controls
- Fatigue and long-shift risk (especially early starts / late finishes)
- Mobile phone distraction rules and enforcement
- Towing competence (if applicable)
2) Plan journeys with breaks and welfare in mind
HSE recommends planning routes in consultation with drivers and considering rest breaks and access to welfare facilities.
If you squeeze schedules so tightly that breaks become “impossible”, you’re baking risk into the job.
3) Make sure vans used for work are safe (and checks are recorded)
Have a simple, auditable system:
- Daily/weekly walkaround checks (lights, tyres, mirrors, fluid leaks)
- Defect reporting and repair sign-off
- Service/MOT scheduling that can’t be missed
4) Manage reversing and on-site movements like a high-risk operation
Construction sites are particularly exposed to vehicle/pedestrian conflict. HSE says you must organise sites so vehicles and pedestrians using site routes can move around safely.
- Clear, segregated routes where possible
- Banksmen/marshals where visibility is limited
- Rules for reversing (and when it’s prohibited)
- Marked delivery areas and controlled access times
If you’re reviewing site transport risk more broadly, HSE’s guidance on the safe use of vehicles on construction sites (HSG144) is the main reference point.
5) Use safety technology to support behaviour — not to “spy”
The 2017 survey found many firms intended to invest in safety technology such as reverse warning alarms, dash cams and telematics.
HSE notes that vehicle safety technologies (including telematics and drowsiness/distraction systems) can help employers monitor safety-related events and support learning and safety improvements.
- Clear standards (what’s acceptable driving)
- Coaching and training
- Fair, consistent consequences
Insurance relevance (without the hype)
Good training, documented risk assessments, and safer systems can reduce collisions, downtime and claims — but they’re primarily about keeping people safe and staying compliant. Any insurance pricing impact varies by insurer and isn’t guaranteed.
Sources
- Enterprise Flex-E-Rent survey results reported by What Van? (dated 16 June 2017; 50 construction businesses; training and risk assessment stats)
- HSE — Driving and riding safely for work (employer overview)
- HSE — Plan and manage journeys (rest breaks, welfare access, planning)
- HSE — Traffic management on site (organise site so vehicles/pedestrians move safely)
- HSE — HSG144 book page: The safe use of vehicles on construction sites
- HSE — Vehicle safety technologies and telematics (how tech can support safety learning)
VanCompare Editorial Team
The VanCompare Editorial Team produces clear, practical guidance on UK van insurance and related topics. We work with FCA authorised insurance providers and use insurer information where relevant to explain cover in plain English and help drivers make informed decisions.
Where relevant, our content is checked against publicly available UK guidance and information from sources such as the FCA and GOV.UK to help keep it accurate and up to date.
This content is for general information only and is not financial advice.
