PROSE's First Safety Bulletin Focuses on Seat Belt Wearing

The first safety bulletin from PROSE goes back to basics with an important reminder to wear your seat belt. 

Ian Greenman, Chair of Professional Recovery Operator Safety Executive (PROSE)

‘As Chair of Professional Recovery Operators Safety Executive. I take safety extremely seriously. In light of the ongoing dangers and concerns we all face whilst working and travelling as part of our everyday life, PROSE safety bulletins will help raise safety awareness within our working community.

Promotion of all available safety devices and prevention is paramount. The use of  seat belts whilst travelling within any vehicle is a minimum action that recovery operators and tyre technicians should ensure for both themselves and for any passengers they carry.

Dan Quin, Chief Fire Officer - National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)

Seatbelts are proven to help reduce road injuries and fatalities. It's also the law, with few exceptions, that they are worn. We urge drivers and passengers to wear seat belts to protect themselves and not overlook this crucial safety component of their vehicle whether they are driving for work or leisure.

Mel Clarke, Divisional Director - Health, Safety and Wellbeing National Highways

‘At National Highways safety is our number 1 priority and we work with all of our recovery partners to keep them safe when working on the Strategic Road Network(SRN). We strongly remind our roadside partners that wearing safety belts is not only a legal requirement, but also a key safety component of the vehicle safety system that  supports everyone in getting home safely. We will continue work with all of our PROSE partners to keep everyone who works on the SRN safe’

Did you know…

The employer is legally obliged to make sure that seat belts are available and in good working order and to train employees to follow safety procedures.

Tyre technicians, recovery operator technicians and their passengers must wear a seat belt and should ensure their seat, seat belt and mirrors are adjusted correctly before they drive

The law states that pregnant and disabled passengers must wear a seat belt unless their doctor gives an exemption for medical reasons (they should carry a certificate of exemption from their doctor).  

Further information can be found in the Highway Code and industry best practice guidelines.