OH&S and taxi driving
Occupational Health and
Safety (OH&S) is about ensuring that the workplace is a safe and healthy place
to work. Under the NSW OH&S legislation it is the responsibility of everyone
involved in the workplace to promote health and safety for workers, customers
and other members of the public. This means that taxi drivers have a legal as
well as an ethical obligation to promote good health and safety practices.
Occupational Health and Safety Hazards
Occupational Health and
Safety (OH&S) is concerned with making sure that people in a work situation
are not exposed to unnecessary hazards which may be dangerous for their health
and safety.
The OH&S hazards faced
by taxi drivers include:
- Accidents caused by
vehicle failure
- Accidents caused by
taxi driver driving performance
- Accidents caused by
taxi driver fatigue
- Accidents caused by
other drivers and road users
- Injuries, traumas or
shock caused by attacks or robberies of drivers
- Abuse from passengers
- Work related stress
- Injuries caused by "handling"
luggage e.g. back injuries
- Dangers from fuel handling
Taxi Industry workplace procedures
for hazard identification and risk control
The NSW Taxi Industry and
the NSW Government have set standards for taxi operation, which help to reduce
the effect of these hazards and dangerous situations.
Taxi Industry workplace
procedures for hazard identification and risk control include:
- Inspections of all Taxi
vehicles at the beginning of every shift
- Taxi inspection and
maintenance requirements for all Taxi Operators
- Spot checks of vehicles
by Taxi Networks, Department of Transport and the RTA
- Standards for Taxi vehicles
e.g. age of vehicle
- Standards for drivers
such as driving ability and training and assessment
- Use of emergency Radio
procedures
- Use of safety screens
- Vehicle tracking devices
- The use of security
cameras in taxis to deter attacks
- Reporting procedures
for incidents to Police
- The availability of
trauma counseling for drivers after incidents
- Ongoing training for
taxi drivers
How you can take part in the management
of OH&S
As a taxi driver you can
take part in the management of Occupational Health and Safety. The ways you
can do this include:
- Pay particular attention
to what you learn through training and informational material
- Inspect your taxi vehicle
thoroughly and report any problems
- Report any likely OH&S
issues to your Taxi Operator and/or Radio Network as appropriate
- Take due care to apply
safety in all aspects of your job such as driving, vehicle inspections, and
customer interactions
- Undertake trauma counseling
after accidents or attack if needed. This can be arranged by your Operator
through the NSW Taxi Industry Association
- Visit the NSW Taxi Council
Website at www.nswtaxi.org.au to stay informed about OH&S issues in the Taxi
Industry
- Read journals such as
TAXI to stay informed about OH&S issues in the Taxi Industry
- Have regular medical
checkups, at least every year. Keep yourself fit and healthy as far as possible
Key OH&S Issues
Some of the main issues
in Occupational Health and Safety for taxi drivers include:
- Attack and robbery
- Safe driving
- Safe lifting
- Accident or breakdown
safety procedures
- Health and stress management
We will look at all these
issues in this Module. Importantly we will also look at ways to reduce the risks
associated with these issues.
Most of OH&S is common
sense. Yet still accidents and dangers occur so we need to be well prepared.
We will finally, in this
Module look at Insurance and Worker's Compensation issues connected with OH&S.