GREY FLEET RISKS GAINING AWARENESS
WORDS BY PAUL OLIVER
Maybe it ’ s the awakening from COVID lockdowns , ongoing supply chain issues or just coincidence but based on recent fleet review activity at Fleet Advisory , it seems that many organisations are paying closer attention to their vehicle fleet operations .
Understanding vehicle utilisation is a top priority , while risk management considerations , operational efficiency , outsourcing options and strategic planning are key focus areas .
While seemingly never at the top of the agenda , there is ( and should be ) growing concern about employee use of their own vehicles for work purposes i . e ., Grey Fleet . It appears that these practices have increased substantially throughout COVID as employees have spent less time in the office , accessed pool vehicles , etc .
Now , given the change in our work practices brought about by COVID , we must envisage that this problem is not going away anytime soon .
When coupled with evidence of under-utilisation of an organisation ’ s own pool vehicles , it ’ s a perfect storm of increased organisational risks and costs that must be addressed .
What is it ?
So let ’ s take a step back for those unfamiliar with the term Grey Fleet as it has really only come into the Australian lexicon in the last few years .
Essentially , Grey Fleet refers to any vehicle used occasionally or regularly by employees for work purposes which is not directly provided by the organisation that employs the driver . Most commonly , it ’ s employee-owned vehicles but can include hire cars and contractors ’ vehicles .
Is it important ?
Yes , very . Under Common Law and in accordance with the Australian Work Health and Safety Act 2011 , an organisation has responsibility for providing a safe workplace . The Act states a workplace is any place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking and includes any place where a worker goes or is likely to be while at work , including vehicles and mobile structures .
Accordingly , vehicles are seen as a workplace when workers are operating within an organisation ’ s Grey Fleet , as well as company provided vehicles .
In the case of an employee using their own vehicle for work purposes , the organisation may have outsourced the task but not their ownership and therefore responsibility .
Obligations and Duty of Care
An organisation ’ s duty of care obligations for Grey Fleet drivers are much the same as their own fleet . They can include but are not be limited to ):
• Making sure that a Grey Fleet Driver has a valid driver ’ s licence ( appropriate for the vehicle being driven )
4 ISSUE 37 OCTOBER 2022 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU