Sector / Private
Protecting staff where engines can’t be switched off.
Roadvent cleans the air where traffic related air pollution exposure is highest, helping employers reduce exhaust exposure for staff and customers as part of meeting their duty of care, even where vehicles must keep running.
It’s often not possible to ask visiting vehicles to switch off while queuing — and short on/off cycles can increase fuel use and emissions. Our patented technology reduces human exposure to pollutants at the workplace without requiring a change in vehicle behaviour.
The duty of care to protect staff
Employers have a duty of care to protect staff from harmful exposure.
In Great Britain, employers have to meet the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the COSHH Regulations 2002 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Roadvent helps employers reduce exhaust exposure for staff and customers as part of meeting their duty of care, even where vehicles must keep running.
01 · The primary duty
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. That includes safe systems of work and the information, instruction and training staff need.
Read section 2 →02 · Hazardous substances
COSHH Regulations 2002
Employers must assess the risk before work that could expose staff to hazardous substances, then prevent exposure or, where that is not reasonably practicable, adequately control it. Staff must be given suitable information, instruction and training.
Read regulation 7 →03 · Risk assessment
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Employers must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to their employees, and to other people affected by the business, and review it when circumstances change.
Read regulation 3 →04 · Diesel exhaust
Recognised as a cancer risk
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). The Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance for employers on controlling workers’ exposure to it.
HSE guidance (HSG187) →Why this matters
01
It’s not just good practice: employers have a duty of care
These obligations apply to every employer, whatever the sector. If staff are breathing harmful emissions at work, the employer is expected to have assessed the risk and to be controlling it.
02
Protective equipment is the last resort
Under COSHH, personal protective equipment is the last resort. Employers are expected to prevent exposure or control it at source first, using engineering controls and ventilation where they can.
03
The duty reaches beyond employees
Risk assessments must also cover other people affected by the business, so customers, contractors and neighbours near queuing vehicles belong in the picture too.
The above information is general information, not legal advice. Installing air quality equipment does not on its own discharge an employer’s legal duties; employers remain responsible for their own risk assessments and should take their own health and safety advice. Results at individual sites vary with traffic, layout and conditions.
Use cases
01
Food & beverage drive-thrus
Higher emissions than in-store dining, often close to residential areas — with staff exposed at serving hatches and in car parks.
02
Click & collect locations
Growth in this format means more vehicles accelerating away close to staff, even where engines are meant to be off while parked.
03
Distribution centres
Heavy goods vehicles emit large volumes of exhaust close to loading staff and the surrounding community.
04
Fuel & vehicle testing stations
Forecourt attendants and test-bay technicians are regularly exposed to running engines at close range.
Concerned about air quality exposure for staff at your site?