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Mickie_Cricket
@Oliver Schick
Ha. I reckon this is a job for @skydancer & co.
A couple of points:
(1) Formal risk assessments are fine. It may seem a bit over the top, but ultimately what you want written into them is that the vanishingly small risk inherent in cycling has been considered and mitigating measures have been adopted. I did that years ago when I was cycling between sites at work and our H&S rep got cold feet over it. She wanted me to wear a helmet, and we drew up a personalised risk assessment that for reasons a, b, c, etc. the risks had been considered. I ended up not wearing a helmet on the back of a risk assessment that basically cleared me to do this.
So ...
Ask, therefore, to see the risk assessment on which this would have to be based. They either have one and it's total nonsense, or they don't have one, in which case they don't have a leg to stand on. Work with them on producing a sensible risk assessment.
(People often think that H&S is really restrictive and prohibitive, but it should be that only where an activity does not allow for adequate mitigation. It's actually a perfectly reasonable activity worth engaging with, especially in the construction industry, where on-site there are obviously considerable risks. It sounds as if they are applying it unreasonably and may just need some instruction in methods to use. Needless to say, the Health & Safety Executive has guidance (which people often don't follow).)
(2) It is also entirely possible that this arises from a talk with their insurers, who always try to get conditions like this written into agreements. Such clauses can be challenged, too.
(3) I wouldn't get too distracted by stats. If you want to do some reading, start with http://cyclehelmets.org and http://john-adams.co.uk.
(4) The most important thing is to start to influence your organisation's culture. I @-ed David above because it would be a good thing to organise a cycle training programme for workers, not only HGV drivers but also others. There are points to be scored like CPD etc. CTUK has done loads of this stuff so can advise.
Good luck!