Equality Impact Assessment

Name of Officer/s completing assessment: / Sue Patton
Date of Assessment: / March 2014
Name of service: / Cornwall Development Company
Function or policy being assessed: / Driver & Vehicle Safety Policy (revision 2)
1.  / What are the aims, objectives, outcomes, purpose of the policy, service change, function that you are assessing? / The Driver & Vehicle Safety Policy lays down the procedure and guidelines which must be followed by members of staff (who drive on company business either in their own vehicles, hire cars or company vehicles), their line manager, Corporate Services and HR to ensure that best practices are followed to maintain the health and safety of our staff .
2.  / Who implements or delivers the policy, service or function? State if this is undertaken by more than one team, service, and department including any external partners. / This policy is to be implemented by line managers, Corporate Services and HR. Staff who drive on company business are required to comply with the policy and follow the recommendations made in the generic and specific risk assessment reviews and guidance provided.
3.  / Who will be affected by this proposal? For example who are the external/internal customers, communities, partners, stakeholders etc. / Individuals driving on company business working for CDC as employees, agency/temporary employees and trainees.
4.  / What are the likely positive or negative impacts for the group/s identified in (3) above? What particular groups are affected more than others and why?
/ Staff driving on company business may, for example:
·  Be involved in an accident whilst driving, or have the car break down;
·  Be the victim of aggressive behaviour, or experience anger whilst driving (commonly known as “road rage”);
·  Be the victim of personal attack/violence;
·  Experience postural difficulties (including WRULDs [work related upper limb disorders] and MSDs [musculoskeletal disorders]) from poor posture/inadequate breaks when driving;
·  MSDs which develop over time can affect the body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Typically MSDs affect the back, neck, shoulders and upper limbs, less often they affect the lower limbs. Health problems range from discomfort, minor aches and pains, to conditions such as carpel tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow etc. Changes to posture and taking adequate breaks can help prevent or minimise work related MSDs;
·  Experience or suffer from eye fatigue, dry eyes and headaches from driving with inadequate breaks, which can be further exacerbated by poor light and night driving, reflection and glare;
·  As a wider consideration work related stress may result from poor working practices (including driving in stressful conditions with inadequate breaks etc);
·  The Driver and vehicle Safety Policy and procedures is designed to protect staff and manage risk. A Generic Risk Assessment and Specific Risk Assessment process is in place and used to support staff on an individual basis.
5.  / Have the impacts indentified in (4) above been assessed using up to date and reliable evidence and data? Do you need to engage or consult with any identified group/s? If in doubt ask the Community Intelligence Team for guidance. / The HSE guidance “Driving at Work, Managing work-related road safety” has been used to determine risk and inform mitigation measures in accordance with best practice and legal compliance.
The Equality Act 2010 has been considered in forming the Driver and Vehicle Safety Policy and procedures to ensure that there is no direct or indirect discrimination to those individuals with protected characteristics (as defined in the Act).
6.  / Are any of these identified groups considered to be vulnerable? If so have you consulted with or plan to consult with any relevant representative organisation. For example if the impact is likely to affect people with a disability have you consulted with Disability Cornwall? / Drivers with a disability or medical condition or pregnant workers may be at greater risk and may require additional support and/or equipment.
Females may be particularly vulnerable when driving alone and at night, therefore specific consideration to their safety should be given including additional support and/or equipment;
7.  / What plans do you have in place, or are developing, that will mitigate the likely identified negative impacts? For example what plans, if any, will be put in place to reduce the impact? / All CDC staff receive H&S training.
The Driver and Vehicle Safety Policy to which this EqIA refers, and the Driving on Company Business Risk Assessment are posted on the CDC Intranet for staff access.
Individuals are treated according to their needs.
Specific Risk Assessment requirement in place.
Risk Assessments are reviewed every 2 years or following a change.
Staff are required to use a roadworthy vehicle, have the appropriate insurance for the required work usage and where appropriate a valid MOT certificate and Tax disc.
Medical advice will be acted upon and reasonable adjustments made when required. In some circumstances changes to working practices etc may be required, and if identified, these changes will be implemented where practicable or alternative processes and procedures considered.
Occupational health referrals are made through HR if required.
8.  / Do you have plans in place to monitor the impact of the proposals once they have been implemented? The full impact of the decision may only be known after the proposals have been implemented. / Generic and Specific Risk Assessments reviewed every 2 years or after a change to working practices, or following an incident to ensure that where possible lessons learnt can be maximised and systems and processes improved accordingly. The Driver and Vehicle Safety Policy is also reviewed every two years or following a significant change.
Accident and incident reporting procedure in place. Statistics for company accidents and incidents are collated and reviewed by the H&S Committee on a regular basis.
Driver and vehicle accident and incident statistics are picked up using the general accident reporting procedures which are regularly reviewed by the H&S Committee to ensure that any lessons learnt are identified and opportunities for improvements in processes/procedures are maximised, including consideration to individuals who may be more vulnerable.
What course of action does this EQIA suggest you take? More than one of the following may apply / ü
Outcome 1: No major change required. The EQIA has not identified any potential for discrimination or adverse impact and all opportunities to promote equality have been taken / ü
Outcome 2: Adjust the policy to remove barriers identified by the EQIA or better promote equality. Are you satisfied that the proposed adjustments will remove the barriers identified?
Outcome 3: Continue the policy despite potential for adverse impact or missed opportunities to promote equality identified. You will need to ensure that the EQIA clearly sets out the justifications for continuing with it. You should consider whether there are sufficient plans to reduce the negative impact and/or plans to monitor the actual impact (see questions below)
Outcome 4: Stop and rethink the policy when the EQIA shows actual or potential unlawful discrimination

Appendix:

The Equality Act 2010:

There are 9 characteristics protected from discrimination under the Equality Act which came into force 1st October 2010. These are:

·  Age (older and younger)

·  Disability (physical, sensory impairments, learning disability, ill mental-health. Long term health/medical related conditions such as asthma, HIV/AIDS, cancer and diabetes are included. This protected characteristic applies to a person who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities)

·  Gender reassignment (other terms: trans, transgender, transsexual. This protected characteristic will apply to a person who is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process to change their sex)

·  Marriage and civil partnership

·  Pregnancy and Maternity

·  Race (including Cornish)

·  Religion and belief (and those with none)

·  Sex (formally known as gender – male/female)

·  Sexual orientation (heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual)

Summary of your proposals (please expand this text box):
What are the key impacts – both negative and positive?
Staff driving on company business may:
·  Be involved in an accident whilst driving, or have the car break down;
·  Be the victim of, or experience anger whilst driving (road rage), violence or personal attack;
·  Experience postural difficulties (including WRULDs and MSDs from poor posture/inadequate breaks;
·  Experience or suffer from eye fatigue, dry eyes and headaches from driving with inadequate breaks, which can be further exacerbated by poor light and night driving, reflection and glare;
·  As a wider consideration work related stress may result from working practices (including driving in stressful conditions with inadequate breaks etc);
What course of action are you advising as a result of this EQIA?
Actions and procedures are already incorporated into the Policy and supporting guidance documentation.
Are there any particular groups affected more than others?
Staff with a disability or medical condition, pregnant workers.
Female members of staff may be particular vulnerable when driving alone or at night.
No further action required.
Head of Service / Section Sign-off
Name:
Nicky Pooley / Date: 14 April 2014
Corporate E&D Steering Group Chair Sign-off
Name:
Anthony Vage / Date: 15 April 2014
(For Corporate E & D use only) Published date:
When you have completed the Equality Impact Assessment, send it to the EDSteering Group, via the Chair, AnthonyVage, .
Once finalised and agreed, these will be sent to MaureenMetcalfe (HumanResources Officer) and the documents will also be publicly posted to the Cornwall Council website.

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CDC FINAL VERSION March 2013