Tesco.com wins top work-related road safety award

The home shopping division of the UK’s largest retailer has been recognised by RoSPA for its exemplary approach to work-related road safety.

Tesco.com – Home Shopping Delivery won the prestigious RoSPA MORR Trophy in the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Occupational Health and Safety Awards.

It was chosen in recognition of its comprehensive approach to managing occupational road risk, which includes a structured training and assessment programme for van drivers, who are known as customer delivery assistants (CDAs).

The programme involves rigorous selection and training processes for new employees and the regular assessment of CDAs throughout their careers.

In an innovative approach, Tesco.com has developed a pool of RoSPA-approved driver trainers within its own ranks. Other elements of the company’s system are robust vehicle checks and accident investigation procedures.

Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA Chief Executive, said: “Driving is the most dangerous thing that the majority of people do in the course of their working lives and managing work-related road risk should be embodied in an organisation’s mainstream health and safety policy. Tesco.com has worked hard to meet its responsibility to manage this risk, both to its employees and all those affected by its road-related activities.

“The measures that have been taken, which are supported by top-level board support, have achieved reductions in accidents, demonstrating the significant business benefits to be reaped from taking occupational road risk seriously.

“We congratulate Tesco.com on this award and hope others will follow its lead.”

Ryder Plc was highly commended and CEMEX Logistics was commended in the competition for the MORR Trophy. In addition, 19 other organisations received non-competitive gold, silver or bronze achievement awards for their management of occupational road risk.

There were a total of 1,400 winners in this year’s RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards.

The awards, sponsored by NEBOSH, were presented over three days (May 22-24) of gala dinners and ceremonies at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel, NEC, attended by nearly 3,000 people.

The presentations were made by Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen, President of RoSPA, Lord Jordan of Bournville, Deputy President, Lord Brougham and Vaux, Vice-President, and Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA Chief Executive.