Programme for reducing accidents travelling to, from and for work

Published on: 08/01/2016
Commuting reduction programme

What is an accident while commuting?

 An accident while commuting is when a worker has an accident on the way to or from work. It has to fulfill the following requirements:

  • That it happens on the way to or from work between the worker's home and the work centre.
  • That this journey is made exclusively for going to or from work.
  • That the worker takes the usual route and a conventional means of transport suited to the distance.
  • That the time is reasonable, close to the time for starting or leaving work.

 What is an accident while travelling for work?

An accident while travelling for work is an accident that a worker suffers on a journey that s/he has to make in order to carry out their work as well as accidents that occur when carrying out work during the workday.

It is usual in workers that have to travel often for their work during their workday (sales or work meetings, services in other companies, etc.)

Causes of the accident rate

The mode of transport

For example: car, moped, bicycle, public bus or company coach, skates, walking, etc.

The accident frequency rate (accidents/million km covered) varies greatly, depending on the means of transport chosen. The safest one is public transport and specifically the bus; the next safest is the car; the least safe are the bicycle and the moped.

Frequency of journeys

There are workers who, depending on their type of work, need to make one, two or several journeys in a day: going to and from work in general, travelling for lunch, routes, etc.

Duration and distance of the journey

Another factor that influences the probability of suffering a work-related accident while commuting is the length of time that a worker needs to travel from their home to work and the characteristics of this journey. Depending on the location of the points of departure and destination, the risks are quantitatively and qualitatively different.

Environmental conditions

For example: rain, snow, ice, fog, wind, etc.

It can be considered that adverse weather conditions negatively affect driving and they increase the number of accidents.

In this regard, a significant fact is that, in accordance with the Directorate General of Traffic, 10% of people injured and killed in road accidents is due to adverse weather conditions.

Type and state of the road

For example: motorway, dual carriageway, road, ring road, etc.

In addition to the type of road that the worker has to drive on when travelling between home and work, it is necessary to take into account the accessibility to the work centres or the urban planning around the site. In this case, workers could receive information on the different route possibilities available for travelling to their work centre.


A flexible, coherent, professional action plan

The action plan is structured into different phases to maximise its effectiveness and return:

  1. Previous analysis of the accident rate
    Our prevention technician prepares an accident rate report which analyses the volume and type of work-related accidents and occupational diseases.
  2. Visit to the company
    A meeting is arranged with the contact person of the company to explain the initial diagnosis and the collaboration proposal to reduce the accident rate.
  3. Critical point diagnosis and preparation of the action plan
    Our prevention technician makes an in-depth analysis of the reasons and factors that influence the accident rate, and then prepares a diagnosis and proposes an action plan that covers a period of between 12 and 24 months.

    The plan for reducing traffic accidents includes defining targets, selecting measures to be introduced, planning activities and a promotion and awareness strategy.

    The contents of this programme can include actions such as:
    - Preparation and implementation of a mobility plan
    - Awareness campaigns on: road safety, mobility
    - Use of support materials for awareness: posters, handbooks, brochures
  1. Activities to be carried out by the company
    All the activities mentioned in the Act of risk prevention at work as a business responsibility are developed by the company via the organisational type of risk prevention at work that this has adopted.
  2. Starting up of the programme
    Development of actions and monitoring in regular meetings.
  3. Permanent advice
    Our prevention technician advises the company managers responsible on any aspect of the plan and development of the accident rate at all times.