MEDIA RELEASE
11 August 2009
VAN SAFETY AN OH&S ISSUE
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has called on Australia’s large
companies and fleet
managers to examine State and Federal Occupational Health and
Safety legislation to ensure they are providing a safe workplace in the light commercial vans
they buy for employees.
Following the release of star safety ratings for a number of light commercial vehicles,
ANCAP, Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, voiced concerns that
occupants of some vans are at a higher risk of serious injury in accidents
than the safer-
rated models.
ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan McIntosh, said today that OH&S legislation clearly stipulates the
responsibility of employers to ensure a safe working environment for employees.
“ANCAP has rated 9 of these light commercial vans and to date we have not had one with
the top 5-star rating – some recording a safety rating as low as 1 star,” Mr McIntosh said.
“Light commercial vehicles don’t have to meet the same Australian vehicle safety
regulations as cars, and this shows up in ANCAP rating results.
“Real-world accident statistics show the risk of serious or fatal injury is halved in a 4 or 5
star vehicle compared with a 1 or 2 star rated vehicle –
this means that one in every two
fatalities in a poorly performing van could be prevented if the occupant had been in a 4 or 5
star vehicle.
“Given the wide disparity in ANCAP results for commercial vehicles, it is no longer sufficient
to use compliance with these regulations as a benchmark for safety.
“Clearly some vehicles are much safer than others and, in the event of a serious crash, fleet
managers may have to justify why they did not choose a model with a higher safety rating if
they decide to ignore the ANCAP safety ratings and purchase a model with a poor rating.
“We are concerned for the safety of drivers and passengers of these vehicles in the event of
a collision and we believe there may be a point in law for ensuring these vehicles are safe
for workers and, indeed, all road users.
“Our understanding of the OH&S principles is that there is an obligation on companies and
fleet managers to ensure a safe workplace.
2
2
“Vans certainly constitute a workplace under the legal definition. We would urge fleet
purchasers to examine the legislation and then factor safety into their fleet purchasing
policies.”
For a full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, including more commercial vehicles, and
other vehicle safety information, go to www.ancap.com.au
ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, all Australian state
governments, the New Zealand government, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission,
NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.
* * * * * * *
Contact:
Lauchlan McIntosh
ANCAP Chair
0418 424 886
Allan Yates
ANCAP
0421 150 229
NEWS 
