By law, every workplace must be safe for the people and vehicles using it. Likewise, traffic routes must be suitable for the people and vehicles using them (source).

The most relevant European legislation for managing workplace transport safety is the Safety and Health Framework Directive 89/391/EEC and its first individual Directive concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace (Directive 89/654/EEC).

Other important and relevant Directives dealing with workplace transport safety are:

• Directive 2009/104/EC concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment;
• Directive2006/42/EC on machinery, including self-propelled machinery (guide for implementing);
• Directive 92/57/EEC on the implementation of minimum health and safety requirements at temporary or mobile construction sites (guide for implementing);
• Directive 92/58/EEC on the minimum requirements for the provision of health and/or safety signs at work

Existing standards, such as ISO and CEN standards, give detailed technical information on the prevention of accidents with vehicles and machinery. For example, in the case of forklift trucks:

• ISO 2328: Forklift trucks: Fork arms and coupling fork bearing deck – Assembly dimensions
• ISO 2330: Vertical movement systems
• ISO 5057: Industrial trucks – Inspection and repair of fork arms in service on forklift trucks.

European directives set minimum standards for health and safety that must be transposed into law in all Member States. However, Member States can also introduce provisions that are more stringent. Since national legislation may as a consequence require higher standards, it is necessary to check this legislation.

Safe driving for work

The Safety and Health Framework Directive 89/391/EEC 24 underlines an employer’s obligation to protect their workers, which also applies for those workers who are professional drivers, or drives as part of their work. This directive is therefore also fundamental for safe driving for work. It states that "the employer shall have a duty to ensure the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to work", this means the employer should evaluate the risks to the health and safety of their workers and take control measures necessary. This is an ongoing process and must be evaluated frequently.

Further rules and legislation that apply to anyone who drives buses and heavy commercial vehicles [trucks] for work are described by EU Directorates-General Mobility and Transport:

“The existing legislation applying to road transport services establishes common rules on access to the profession and to the market, sets minimal standards for working time, driving time and rest periods (including enforcement and the use of tachograph) for professional road transport, and sets minimum annual vehicle taxes, as well as common rules for tolls and user charges for heavy goods vehicles. Moreover, it harmonises the maximum weights and dimensions of road vehicles. The Commission also promotes more and safer parking areas along the trans-European road network.

There are additional international rules and regulations for dangerous goods transport. Passenger transport is also governed by specific EU rules and regulations.

In addition to rules and regulations that apply throughout the EU, there are also coexisting national rules and regulations concerning road traffic and road safety in general. These are the rules that set speed limits, alcohol limits and specific driver license requirements. There may also be specific rules and procedures regarding road work, road maintenance etc. Such rules and regulations are normally available from the websites of relevant national road and work