PURPOSE

The purpose of this procedure is to define how the company will respond to employees’ and their families’ needs after involvement in a motor vehicle incident.

INTRODUCTION

While the organisation is committed to a risk minimisation program to remove/reduce risk unfortunately people are injured and lose their lives on the road on a daily basis.

With over 50% of all yearly new vehicle registrations going to fleet the odds are that many incidents will involve a vehicle driven for work. It is vital therefore that the organisation is prepared.

PROCEDURE

The company needs to develop a set of procedures that define the processes that will be used to assist employees and their families affected by road trauma.

As there are many ways in which this might take place it is not possible to outline particular policies to be used; rather it is useful to list activities that need to be addressed.

Rather than being caught out by events, management needs to define the organisation’s policy regarding arrangements to:

• Notify employee’s families when an employee is involved in an incident;
• Transport family members to hospitals etc;
• Provide accommodation;
• Return the employee to their home location;
•  Reintegrate recovering employees into the workplace;

Management also needs to provide information on:

• Medical services and practical assistance;
• Providing a replacement vehicle to employee family members
• Financial assistance and advice;
• Trauma and grief counselling;*
• Advice and counselling;
• Final salary and benefits payout;
• Insurance and/or superannuation payouts;
• Follow-up and long term family support.

*Trauma and grief counselling

The most likely source of information regarding assistance in this area will be the local Police and/or hospital authorities. There are independent organisations who provide trauma and grief counselling such as the Road Trauma Support Team Victoria, 03 9877 7922 or helpline 1300 367 797