Workplace Transport Safety - Antaris Consultingantarisconsulting.com/docs/guides/unit_igc2/WorkplaceTransport...Legislation applicable to workplace transport safety REFERENCES AND

1WWlE

000

R1M11Uf

HSIEHealth & Safety

Execatlve

HSEHealth & Safety

Executive

WORKPLACE

TRANSPORT

SAFETYHSE BOOKS GIIi(I(I,sc'for cinf)Ioyers

© Crown copyright 1995Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to:

Copyright Unit, Her Majesty's Stationery Office,St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ

First published 1995

Reprinted 1995, 1998, 2000 (with amendments), 2002, 2003

ISBN 0717609359

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in

any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the priorwritten permission of the copyright owner.

This guidance is issued by the Health and SafetyExecutive. Following the guidance is not compulsory andyou are free to take other action. But if you do follow the

guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply withthe law. Health and safety inspectors seek to securecompliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as

illustrating good practice.

CONTENTS

123

44

891011

12212326

28

INTRODUCTIONWho should read this guidance?Accidents - numbers, costs and causesThe legal duties

MANAGING THE RISKSThe legal dutyRisk assessment

ORGANISING FOR SAFETYControlCommunicationCo-operationCompetence

A SAFE WORKPLACE, SAFEVEHICLES AND SAFE DRIVERSA safe workplaceVehicle safetyMaintenanceSelection and training of drivers andother employeesContractors, visiting drivers andshared workplaces

323435384043

EXAMPLES OF SAFE WORKINGPRACTICESReversing of vehiclesParking of vehiclesAccess on to vehiclesLoading and unloadingTipping of loadsSheeting and unsheeting of loads

APPENDIX 1Checklist

APPENDIX 2Legislation applicable to workplacetransport safety

REFERENCES AND FURTHERGUIDANCE

rjb

rjb

1

rjb

rjb

rjb

rjb

4

rjb

8

rjb

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

1 This publication provides a source ofpractical guidance and reference to assist thoseconcerned with all forms of workplace transport tosecure a safe workplace, safe working practicesand to comply with the law.

Who should read this guidance?

2 The guidance is directed particularly at

owners, employers and managers, includinghauliers and those responsible for contractors, atworkplaces where any form of transport is used. Itwill also be useful to supervisory staff, employees

(and, where relevant, their trade-union appointed

safety representatives) and self-employed people.

3 The main areas of guidance deal with:

(a) assessing the risks associated with

workplace transport activities;

(b) organising for safety by establishingresponsibilities among drivers and other

employees and promoting a positive safetyculture in the workplace;

(c) securing a safe workplace and safe vehiclesand ensuring that drivers play their part in

workplace safety; and

(d) establishing safe working practices for

particular activities where vehicles areinvolved.

4 'Workplace transport' refers to any vehicle orpiece of mobile equipment, which is used by

employers, employees, self-employed people orvisitors in any work setting (apart from travelling onpublic roads). It covers a very wide range offamiliar vehicles, for example cars and vans, fork

lift trucks, heavy goods vehicles, and the manydifferent sorts of industrial trucks, dumpers etc.Workplace transport also covers less commonvehicles and plant such as straddle carriers,

rubber-tyred gantries and self-propelledmachinery. Where used in this guidance, the term'vehicle' refers to the whole range of differentvehicles found at the workplace, including mobile

equipment.

5 This guidance does not deal with air

transport, water transport, railways, or the

specialised transport used in underground mining.

6 It is mainly targeted at medium and largeindustrial and commercial workplaces. It shouldalso be useful for workplaces such as construction

sites, quarries, farms and forestry operations, butreference should also be made to guidancedocuments specifically relating to these industries(see References and further guidance).

Introduction

2

7 An HSE video1 aimed at managers dealswith many of the areas covered in this guidance.

Accidents - numbers, costs andcauses

8 Every year about 70 people are killed inworkplace transport-related accidents. In additionthere are more than 1000 major injuries (ieaccidents which result in broken bones,amputations etc) and around 5000 injuries thatcause people to be off work for more than three

days.

9 Alongside the personal distress caused byan accident, a relatively minor accident (forexample, one which results in an employee beingoff work for only a few days) is likely to cost around

500, and a major accident around 000.

Most of this cost is usually borne by the owner,employer, haulier etc.

10 Most transport-related accidents involvepeople being hit or run over by moving vehicles,people falling from vehicles, people being struckby objects falling from vehicles (usually part of theload) or being injured as a result of vehicles

overturning. However, the underlying causes areusually found in poor management control. In otherwords, management often fail to provide safesystems of work, or fail to ensure that safe

systems are followed, usually through too littleinformation, instruction, training or supervision.The majority of transport-related accidents are

preventable.

An employee who was bringing a cup of coffeeto the driver of a fork lift truck was crushed bythe truck against steel railings which had been

provided to separate pedestrians from thevehicle roadway. The employee, who hadapproached the truck on the road side of therailings, said after the accident that the driverhad reversed the truck without looking.

The driver should not have reversed withoutchecking that the roadway was clear, and theemployee should have approached the truck

along the pedestrian route. Employers areresponsible for ensuring that employees use

safe working practices.

11 The problem seems to stem from the factthat vehicles are so widely used, both on publicroads and at workplaces, that employers,managers, employees etc often do not recognise -until a serious accident actually happens - thatvehicle activities can be very dangerous, andtherefore need to be managed to ensure safety.

12 Employers who direct their attention towardsimproving safety in the workplace can identify andmake improvements which not only reduce the riskof accidents and the associated costs, but also

lead to general improvements in working practices.These in turn lead to improvements in productivity.

So rather than being a burden, there are clearbenefits for a company when an employer takes

these steps.

The legal duties

13 There are a number of specific legal duties

that are applicable to workplace transportactivities, most of which are outlined at theappropriate point in the guidance and listed in

Appendix 2. However, the principal legal duty onemployers is, so far as is reasonably practicable,to provide and maintain safe systems of work, andto take all reasonably practicable precautions toensure the health and safety of all workers in theworkplace and members of the public who mightbe affected by their activities.

14 Self-employed people have a similar duty tothat of employers - to minimise risks to their ownand other people's health and safety.

15 All employees have a legal duty to take careof their own and others' health and safety and to

co-operate with management in meeting theirobligations. Employees need to recognise thisresponsibility and act accordingly.

16 Failure to comply with the above duties mightlead to prosecution. The following sections provideguidance on how employers can comply with theirduties.

Introduction

3

Warning sign

Managing the risks

MANAIENG TIEIEJE

IE@ll@The legal duty

17 Regulation 3 of the Management of Healthand Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW)

requires employers and self-employed people toassess the risks to workers and anyone else, forexample members of the public, who may beaffected by the work activities being undertaken.Both the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

and legislation covering particular hazards orsectors of work require that appropriate preventiveand protective measures should be taken in the

light of the risks identified. These requirementsapply to all work activities, including those

involving transport, eg driving, loading, sheeting,maintenance.

Risk assessment

18 The purpose of a risk assessment is to help

employers and self-employed people comply withtheir legal duties by determining what measuresneed to be taken to ensure a safe workplace andsafe working practices. Carrying out a riskassessment need not be excessively complex ortechnical. Most employers carry out riskassessments during the normal course of theirwork. For example, when employing new drivers

an employer would normally identify how much

information, instruction or training they need, toensure that they are able to carry out their drivingduties without making mistakes or causingaccidents. In identifying that there are risksassociated with new drivers and then decidingwhat precautions to take (for example to give thenew recruits safety instructions), the employer hascarried out a risk assessment.

19 The MHSW Regulations require thatemployers should undertake a generalexamination of all the risks arising from their workactivities. Five steps have been identified to helpemployers assess the risks systematically:

(a) identify the hazards;

(b) identify who might be harmed, and how;

(C) evaluate the risks and assess whether

existing precautions are adequate or whethermore precautions are needed;

(d) record the significant findings; and

(e) periodically review the risk assessment, as

necessary.

Managing the risks

20 The following paragraphs give advice on howyou might carry out a risk assessment, with

examples relating to workplace transport.

Identifying the hazards

21 Employers first need to identify the work

activities involving vehicles, including visitingvehicles, over a reasonable period (maybe overthe course of a week). For example, the activitiesare likely to include the arrival and departure ofvehicles; their travel within the workplace; loading,

unloading and securing loads; and possiblymaintenance work on the vehicles.

22 Employers can then identify the hazardsassociated with these work activities. To do this,look at each of the work activities associated withtransport and ask: What are the possible dangers,and what is causing those dangers?

23 For example:

(a) Is there a danger of people being struck orrun over by moving vehicles, and what is thecause?

(b) Is there a danger of people falling fromvehicles, for example while gaining access toor alighting from them or while involved inloading/unloading or other activities, andwhat is the cause?

(c) Is there a danger of being struck by an objectfalling from a vehicle, and what is the cause?

(d) Is there a danger of the vehicle overturning,and what is the cause?

24 In looking for the hazards, areas to look atshould include:

(a) the vehicles themselves. Are they safe andsuitable for the work for which they are beingused? Are they properly maintained? Do thevehicles need to be replaced with new, safer

vehicles? (see Vehicle safety, page 21);

(b) the routes or roadways used by the vehicles.Are they safe and suitable for the type and

number of vehicles using them? Has account

been taken of nearby hazards and

obstructions? (see A safe workplace, page 12);

(c) the actions of the drivers. Are they using safe

Managing the risks

6

working practices - for example when gainingaccess to the vehicles; with the routes and

speeds they use; while loading/unloadingand securing loads; when reversing andparking their vehicles; and particularly wherethey might use short-cuts'? Are therepressures being placed on drivers which areinconsistent with safety - for example, dothey have to rush driving activities tocomplete their work on time; or is there a riskof accidents caused by fatigue as a result of

excessive working hours? (see Examples of

safe working practices, page 32);

(d) the activities of others in the vicinity of thevehicles. Are other workers on site,customers, members of the public etc keptseparate from vehicle activities wherever

possible?

25 Employers should look at each of the above

areas and identify possible dangers to employees,including drivers, or anyone else in the workplace.In doing this, it is recommended that employersshould consult their drivers and any otheremployees at the site (including contractors, and

possibly visiting drivers) for their views.

Identifying who might be harmed and how

26 For each hazard that you identify, determinewho might be harmed, and how. The people thatcould be harmed are likely to be anyone employedat the workplace or anyone who comes on to thesite. This is likely to include drivers, all other

employees, contractors, sub-contractors, visiting

drivers, customers, part-time employees, cleaners,maintenance personnel, visitors and possiblymembers of the public.

Evaluating the risks

27 For each hazard, and bearing in mind thosewho are at risk from the hazard, evaluate the risks,ie the likelihood that harm will occur and its

severity, and assess whether existing precautionsare adequate or whether more precautions areneeded. In eftect you should ask: Have suitablemeasures been taken to reduce this risk, and arethe measures adequate?

28 In the first place, if you have not complied with

any general legal duties or specific legalrequirements relating to the hazard then clearlymore precautions are needed. However, even if youhave already taken measures to reduce particularrisks, you will still need to ask whether theremaining risks are acceptably low when measured

against the consequences of an accident, or

whether you could reasonably be expected to do

more to reduce the risks. For example, you might

decide that in addition to imposing speed limits onvehicle routes, road humps or similar speed-reducing measures are needed to ensure thatvehicles cannot drive too fast.

29 If you conclude that something more needsto be done, it is recommended that solutionsshould be sought in the following order:

(a) Try to eliminate the hazard altogether (forexample, by restricting vehicle movements to

Managing the risks

certain parts of the workplace); but if this type

of solution is not available or practical then

(b) Try to reduce the risks, preferably in the

following order:

(i) Where possible, change the layout ofthe workplace or use vehicles with the

appropriate safety features (forexample, have separate pathways .forpedestrians, use road humps, or

vehicles with speed limiters);

(ii) If (i) is not practical, set up safe

systems of working (for example,enforce speed limits);

(iii) As a last resort, instruct and trainemployees to take care, and to makeuse of equipment such as personal

protective equipment.

Record your findings

30 If you have fewer than five employees youdo not need to record anything, but if you have fiveor more you must record the significant findings ofyour assessment. This means:

(a) recording, usually in writing, the moresignificant hazards; and

(b) recording your most important conclusions,for example: Risk of collision as a result of ablind bend - need to install fixed mirror oncorner of building.

31 You must also inform your employees,

An employee, a temporaty worker at hisworkplace, was leaving the site at the end of theday. He crossed/n front of doors used by fork lifttrucks and fell over the forks of a truck which

was coming through the doors, injuring his arm.

The employee had not heard the vehicle's hornand had received no information on generalworkplace hazards and how to avoid them.There was no demarcation of vehicle andpedestrian routes, and no marking on the doorsto indicate their use. The driver could not seethe employee on the other side of the doors.

The site operator is responsible for assessingthe risks at the workplace arising out of workactivities, and for taking the measuresnecessary to reduce those risks so that theyare as low as reasonably practicable.

including any safety representatives, about yourfindings. In addition, it is useful to prioritise theimprovement measures identified and attach adate by which action should be taken.

Review the risk assessment from time to time

32 Sooner or later you are likely to introducenew vehicles or change the traffic routes, or thenature of the work activities relating to vehicles

may change, possibly leading to new hazards.Where there is a new hazard, the risk assessmentwill need revision. In any case, it is good practiceto review the risk assessment from time to time, tocheck that it is still relevant.

Organising for safety

OIGANJI@IEN FOJI.@AF]EJTY

33 This section provides guidance on

establishing responsibilities and relationships withdrivers and other employees, including contractorsetc, to secure safe working practices and topromote a positive safety culture in the workplace.It should be read in conjunction with the sectionSelection and training of drivers and other

employees on page 26, and, where applicable,Contractors, visiting drivers and shared

workplaces on page 28.

34 To secure and maintain a safe workplaceand safe working practices, employers need toensure that everyone at the workplace, from seniormanagement to individual employees, is aware oftheir individual responsibilities for safety, and acts

accordingly.

35 Establishing a positive safety cultureinvolves:

(a) Control

(b) Communication

(c) Co-operation

(d) Competence.

Control

36 There are three key aspects to establishingcontrol over safety in the workplace and workactivities.

37 Firstly, employers need to take responsibility for

safety, and then show their commitment, by exampleand in their everyday decisions, for example:

(a) by holding regular (weekly, monthly)meetings with employees and, where

applicable, their safety representatives, todiscuss current work activities and the

associated safety issues;

(b) by making peilodic tours of the workplace,including inspections of vehicles, roadways etc,with the specific aim of checking that there areno obvious hazards in the workplace and that

safe working practices are being followed;

(c) by ensunng that formal or informal work-related

discussions with employees always include

safety issues relating to their work activities.

38 An accident reporting system is essential toenable employers to meet their obligations to report


accidents covered by the Reporting of Injuries,

Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

1995. It is also valuable in monitoring the

effectiveness of measures to prevent accidents, and

ensuring that all accidents are reported to managers.

A clear and simple procedure for reporting faults and

hazards can help prevent serious accidents. However,

it is important that managers do not use the accident

reporting system to apportion blame as this may

discourage employees from using it.

39 Secondly, a clear allocation of responsibilitiesis needed so that all employees, contractors, sub-

contractors, visiting drivers, maintenancepersonnel etc understand their own individual

responsibilities for maintaining a safe workplaceand safe working practices. There are various

ways of achieving this, for example by:

(a) including safety responsibilities in employees'job descriptions, and in contracts with

contractors;

(b) including safety issues and responsibilities inthe information, instruction and training givento those new to the workplace;

(c) raising safety issues and responsibilitieswhile supervising employees and being indaily contact with them; and

(d) displaying safety notices or bulletins.

40 Thirdly, employers, managers etc need toensure that everyone involved in work activities isheld accountable for their responsibilities, primarily

through supervision, and are subject to some formof penalty if they fail to comply.

41 Supervision is an essential element of anysystem of management control. The level ofsupervision is usually based on the risks involved,in particular work activities, and on the competenceof employees to identify and deal with them. Evenwhere risks are low, some supervision will alwaysbe needed to ensure that standards are beingmaintained and that drivers and other employeeshave not become complacent.

42 The employer, manager etc will usually needto have a clear system of penalties available

should employees, contractors etc fail to maintainstandards or comply with safe working practices.For employees there is usually a disciplinary

procedure with the possibility, ultimately, ofdismissal; for contractors there may be financialpenalties and termination of the contract.

43 It is also possible to secure control by

authorising certain activities and, in particular, by

authorising specific people to operate certainvehicles and undertake vehicle-related activitiessuch as maintenance.

Communication

44 Good communication within an organisationhelps secure and maintain a safe workplace andsafe working practices. It is important that the linesof communication are strong throughout theorganisation so that everyone is clear about their

health and safety responsibilities.

9


10

45 Information that needs to be communicatedincludes:

(a) the organisation's safety policy and what itmeans in practical terms;

(b) the allocation of safety responsibilities;

(c) details of safe working practices thatemployees, contractors etc need to follow;

(d) details of where employees etc can obtainmore information, instruction or training onparticular aspects of their work activities; and

(e) feedback to employees on how well they

have complied with safe working practices.

A joiner suffered severe head injuries when hefell approximately two metres from the top of astack of timber on the back of a flat-bed lorry.

The joiner was helping to unload a delivery oftimber when he climbed on top of the stack.While edging along the stack he lost his footing

and fell. An unloading bay with a concreteplatform was available to provide safe accessfor unloading vehicles, but was not used.

The joiner should have received instruction on

how to unload safely, ie by using the unloadingbay. Better supervision should have ensured thathe compiled with those instructions. Climbing on

top of loads should be avoided wherever possible.

46 It is important that employers, managers etc

encourage everyone at the workplace, includingcontractors, to take an active interest in safetyissues. Employees etc should feel able to expresstheir views or concerns to those in charge of theworkplace and the people they work with.

47 Where there are trade-union appointed safetyrepresentatives within an organisation, the employerhas a legal duty under section 2(6) of the Health

and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) to consult

with the safety representatives so that the employer

and employees can co-operate effectively on healthand safety matters. The employer has a duty undersection 2(7) of the HSWA to set up a health andsafety committee when requested by two or more

safety representatives.

Co-operation

48 Obtaining the co-operation of everyone atthe workplace is important because it confirms that

they (employees, visiting drivers, contractors etc)have accepted their safety responsibilities and can

be expected to implement safe working practices.

49 Employees have a duty under section 7 ofthe HSWA to take reasonable care of their ownhealth and safety and that of others who may beaffected by what they do at work. Employees'duties also include co-operating with theiremployers to enable the employers to comply withtheir health and safety responsibilities.

50 A health and safety committee can be aneffective way of enlisting the formal participation


and co-operation of everyone at the workplace incarrying out their health and safety responsibilities.

Competence

51 Employers need to ensure that all employees,

contractors, visiting drivers etc, includingmanagers, are capable of doing their work in aproper way which is safe for themselves and for

other people.

52 In a large organisation, senior managementneed to satisfy themselves that managers andsupervisors involved in day-to-day work activitiesare capable of effective organisation to secure safeworking practices and a safe workplace. In otherwords they can:

(a) establish control;

(b) communicate effectively;

(c) obtain co-operation; and

(d) allocate and organise work activities in a waythat secures and maintains a safe working

environment.

53 In all organisations, those in charge need toensure, and take measures to check, thatemployees, contractors and, where possible,visiting drivers etc are capable of performing theirwork activities in a safe and responsible mannerand are willing to do so. Those in charge will needto be capable and willing to provide information,instruction, supervision, and constructive feedback

to employees etc on their safety performance.

54 There are two principal ways of ensuringcompetence for a job:

(a) Have effective recruitment and placementprocedures to ensure that all those employed

at the workplace, including managers, havethe relevant knowledge, experience etc to be

capable of doing their jobs safely, or canacquire these attributes on the job or through

training. Where necessary, the procedures

may require:

(i) assessments of individual fitness by

medipal examinations;

(ii) tests to assess aptitudes and abilities;and/or

(iii) recognised qualifications or trainingcertificates to be held by employees;

(b) Provide information, instruction and training to

maintain or improve employees' competence,particularly where changes in staff, equipmentor procedures are planned.

55 See also Selection and training of drivers andother employees on page 26.

56 Proper management and supervision ofemployees, contractors etc is needed to ensurethat their competence is maintained anddeveloped. This is particularly necessary for thosenew to a job, those undergoing training, and thosewho are working on site on a contract basis.

11

A safe workplace, safe vehicles and safe drivers

A SAFE WORKPLACE,SAFE VEHICLES ANDSAFE DRIVERS57 This section gives practical advice to help

owners, employers and managers, includinghauliers and those responsible for contractors, tosecure a safe workplace, safe vehicles, andensure that drivers play their part in workplace

safety.

A safe workplace

58 The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)Regulations 1992 place various duties onemployers and those in control at workplaces.

59 Regulation 17 relates to the organisation oftraffic routes and requires that:

(a) eve,y workplace shall be organised in such away that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate ina safe manner;

(b) traffic routes in a workplace shall be suitablefor the persons or vehicles using them,

sufficient in number, in suitable positions and

of sufficient size. Traffic routes shall notsatisfy the requirements of the aboveparagraph unless suitable measures aretaken to ensure that:

(i) pedestrians or, as the case may be,vehicles may use a traffic route withoutcausing danger to the health or safetyof persons at work near it;

(ii) there is sufficient separation of anytraffic route for vehicles from doors orgates or from traffic routes forpedestrians which lead onto it; and

(iii) where vehicles and pedestrians usethe same traffic route, there is sufficient

separation between them; and

(c) all traffic routes shall be suitably indicatedwhere necessary for reasons of health or

safety.


Design and layout of road systems

60 The following good practice is recommendedwherever possible:

(a) Plan traffic routes to give the safest routebetween places where vehicles have to call;

(b) Make traffic routes wide enough for the safemovement of the largest vehicle permitted to

use them, including visiting vehicles. Theyshould also be wide enough to allow vehicles

to pass oncoming or parked vehicles safelywithout leaving the route. One-way systemsor restrictions on parking should beintroduced where necessary. Any restrictionsshould be clearly indicated. On traffic routesin existence before 1 January 1993, where itis not practical to widen the road, passing

places or traffic management systemsshould be provided as necessary;

(c) Avoid traffic routes passing close tovulnerable items like fuel or chemical tanks

or pipes, or any open and unprotected edgefrom which vehicles could fall or where theycould become unstable, unless the item or

edge is adequately protected. Also, do notallow vehicles to pass close to anything thatis likely to collapse or be left in a dangerousstate if hit, unless it is adequately protected;

(d) Ensure that there are safe areas for safe

loading and unloading (see Loading bays,page 18).

13

Two mechanics received crush injuries whentrapped against the wall of their workshop by asingle-decker bus. A third mechanic, who was atrained driver, was moving the bus in theseivice bay of the workshop when his footslipped from the brake to the accelerator. Thebus shot forward, crushing the two men.

The bus was already parked close to the walland this gave the driver very little time to re-apply the brakes after his foot slipped.

As a result of the accident it was decided thatbuses should be parked further away from soildstructures; and that there may be a need forbarriers to separate vehicles from pedestrians.

Bollards to protect vulnerable tanks from vehicles


14

(e) Avoid sharp or blind bends on vehicle routes

wherever possible. Where they areunavoidable, consider measures such as one-way systems, or the use of mirrors to improve

vision. One-way systems can also be useful toavoid the need for vehicles to reverse;

(f) Road junctions and road/rail crossings should be

kept to a minimum, and be clearly signed and

marked to show right of way. At rail crossings

right of way must be in favour of trains, since

even at low speeds they cannot stop easily;

(g) Make entrances and gateways wide enough;where possible there should be enoughspace to accommodate a second vehiclewhich may have stopped for any reason

without causing obstruction;

(h) Set sensible speed limits and clearly signpost

them on vehicle routes. Where necessary, use

suitable speed retarders, for example roadhumps or bollards to restrict the width of road.

These should always be preceded by awarning sign or a mark on the road.Arrangements should be made wherenecessary to avoid fork lift trucks having topass over road humps (unless the fork lift truckis a type which can negotiate them safely);

(i) Give prominent warning of any limitedheadroom, both in advance and at the

- obstruction itself. Any potentially dangerousobstructions such as overhead electriccables or pipes containing flammable orhazardous chemicals etc need to be

protected, ie using goal posts, height gaugeposts or barriers;

) Where possible, mark and signpost theroutes on open manoeuvring areas or yards.A signaller (banksman) may be needed to

supervise vehicle movements;

(k) Where necessary, provide screens or otherprotection for people who are at risk fromexhaust fumes, or to protect people frommaterials which could fall from vehicles;

(I) Restrict vehicle access where high-risk

substances are stored, for example placeswhere liquid petroleum gas is delivered andstored, and where vehicles are refuelled;

Mirror to improve drivers' vision round a corner

Pedestrians

61 The following good practice should befollowed wherever possible:

(a) Provide separate routes or pavements for

pedestrians, to keep them away fromvehicles;

(b) Where needed, provide suitable barriers orguard rails at entrances to and exits frombuildings, and at the corners of buildings, to

prevent pedestrians walking straight on toroads;

(c) If traffic routes are used by both pedestriansand vehicles, they should be wide enough toallow vehicles to pass pedestrians safely. Ontraffic routes in existence before 1 January

1993, passing places or traffic managementsystems should be provided, as necessary,where it is not practical to make the routewide enough for this purpose. Routes usedby vehicles such as fork lift trucks insidebuildings should be indicated by lines drawnon the floor to inform pedestrians;

(d) Where pedestrian and vehicle routes cross,

appropriate crossing points should beprovided and used. Crossing points shouldbe suitably marked and signposted. Wherenecessary, barriers or rails should be

provided to prevent pedestrians crossing atparticularly dangerous points and to directthem to designated crossing places. Atcrossing places where there is a high volume


15

Barrier to indicate roadway and protect nearby racking

Guard-rail at exit to building


vehicles and also by pedestrians, stepsshould be taken to ensure that pedestriansdo not become trapped by vehicles. Thevehicles should be fitted with safeguards tominimise the risk of injury. Sufficientclearance should be provided between thevehicles and pedestrians, and care shouldbe taken to ensure that fixtures along theroute do not create trapping hazards;

(i) If the public have access to the premises, forexample to visit a farm or factory shop, thepublic access point should be as near aspossible to the shops etc, and wherepossible separate from work activities.Routes to be used by the public should be

clearly signposted.

16

of traffic, the provision of traffic lights orsuitable bridges or subways should be

considered;

(e) Pedestrians should be able to see clearly inall directions at crossing points;

(f) Where crowds of people are likely to walk onto roadways, for example at the end of ashift, consideration should be given tostopping vehicles from using the routes atthese times;

(g) Separate vehicle and pedestrian doorsshould be provided in premises, with vision

panels on all doors;

(h) On routes used by automatic, driverless

Parking areas

62 Wherever practical, suitable and sufficientparking areas should be provided for all vehiclesusing the workplace - both for work-related

vehicles and private cars, motor cycles and pedalcycles. The type of parking area will depend onwhat vehicles are used at the workplace (including

visiting vehicles), where they go and what they areused for.

63 Parking areas should be situated in safelocations. For example, drivers leaving parkedvehicles should not have to cross potentially

dangerous work areas. Wherever possible, theyshould be on level ground, have a firm, evensurface and safe meansof access and exit. Theyneed to be clearly signposted to ensure that

Pedestrian crossing point on roadway


17

Pedestrian crossing point and barrier on two-way vehicle road

Separate doors for vehicles and pedestrians


18

employees and visiting drivers can see where topark their vehicles. Parking areas usuall' need tobe well lit.

Loading bays

64 Loading bays should, as far as possible, besituated in safe and suitable locations, forexample adjacent to marshalling areas so thatvehicles can be manoeuvred easily, or near

sheeting areas.

65 Loading bays should be provided with atleast one pedestrian exit point from the lower level.Wide loading bays usually need at least two exit

points, one at each end. Alternatively, a refuge can

be provided to prevent people being struck orcrushed by vehicles.

66 The edges of loading bays will need to bemarked clearly. Where there is a danger of people

falling off them, loading bays may need to befenced, eg by secure guard-rails (designed so thatgoods can be passed safely over or under them). If

fencing is not practical, alternative safeguards maybe needed.

67 It may also be necessary to provideprotection against adverse weather conditions.

Typical warehouse vehicle unloading/loading area, showing separate pedestrian access


Construction of roads

68 Regulation 12 of the Workplace (Health,

Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requiresthat "evenj traffic route in a workplace shall be of aconstruction such that the floor or surface of thetraffic route is suitable for the purpose for which itis used Regulation 12(3) requires that "so far asis reasonably practicable, traffic routes shall bekept free from obstructions and from any article orsubstance which may cause a person to sup, tripor fall".

69 Wherever possible, roads should beconstructed of tarmacadam, concrete or othersuitable material. They should have firm and evensurfaces, and be properly drained. Excessive

gradients should be avoided. Steep gradients

should be properly signposted. If possible, gradientsshould be avoided in areas where lift trucks and

other similar plant are required to operate, unless

they are designed to operate on gradients.

Lighting

70 Regulation 8 of the Workplace (Health,

Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requiresthat "every workplace shall have suitable andsufficient llghting"

71 All roads, manoeuvring areas and yardsshould be adequately lit, with particular attention

being given to areas near junctions, buildings,plant, pedestrian areas, and places where there isregular movement of vehicles or mobile plant.Glare from the sun can sometimes be a problem

for drivers, and measures may be needed to avoidthis (eg sun visors). Measures may also beneeded to avoid strong variation of light betweenthe inside and outside of premises.

Roadsigns

72 Regulation 17(4) of the Workplace (Health,Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requiresthat "all traffic routes shall be suitably indicatedwhere necessary for reasons of health and safely"

73 In the first place it may be useful to provide a

plan of the workplace, at the entrance and at other

appropliate points, indicating vehicle routes, one-waysystems etc. This would be particularly useful at

workplaces which have visiting drivers. Adequate

signposting should be provided at relevant parts of the

workplace so that drivers do not go the wrong way.

Well-lit and marked roadway


20

74 Potential hazards on traffic routes may needto be indicated by suitable warning signs. Such

hazards may include sharp bends, junctions,crossings, blind corners, steep gradients, orroadworks. Suitable road markings and signs mayalso be needed to alert drivers to restrictions onthe use of traffic routes. Road signs used to warnor inform should comply with the design prescribedby The Traffic Signs Regulations and GeneralDirections 2002 and set out in the Highway code.

75 Similar signs may be necessary to informpedestrians of hazards and the routes they shoulduse.

76 Where signs have to be visible at night, theywill need to be illuminated and/or reflectorised.

Temporary workplaces and unpreparedroadways

77 Temporary workplaces, eg construction sitesand forestry operations, often have routes forvehicles and pedestrians which change as thework progresses. It is important that these routes,

including any intended changes, are carefullyplanned to ensure where possible that they complywith the same basic safety standards applicable topermanent routes, le the standards set by

regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and

Welfare) Regulations 1992 (see paragraphs 58and 59). Where appropriate, the guidance inparagraphs 60-61 will also be relevant. It isimportant for employers to ensure that all driversand pedestrians know which routes they may ormay not use.

78 Many workplaces, eg construction sites,quarries, farms etc contain 'unprepared' routes -unsurfaced roads or open ground for vehicletraffic.. These routes should, as far as possible,conform to the same basic standards applying to

'prepared' (usually tarmacadam) roadways, ie theyshould be suitable for their purpose, have firm andeven surfaces, be properly drained, and shouldavoid excessive gradients.

79 Temporary roadways and unprepared routescan increase the risk of accidents, for examplevehicles overturning on uneven ground, or driversbeing unsure which route to take where there are

no road markings (eg on gravel roads).Consequently, there will usually need to be anincreased emphasis on:


(a) driver competence, particularly in dealingwith hazards encountered on unprepared

routes;

(b) the provision of information and instructionfor drivers, particularly if they are not familiar

with the temporary roadways;

(c) safe systems of work and traffic management,for example use of temporary road signs andtraffic lights where necessary; and

(d) supervision of drivers, vehicle activities and

other employees.

An increased emphasis on preventive checks mayalso be necessary to ensure that vehicles do not

develop faults while working on unprepared

roadways.

80 Safety banks may be needed on someroutes to prevent vehicles running over openedges, or to indicate a safe route. It isrecommended that a bank should have a minimumheight of 1.5 metres or half the wheel diameter ofthe largest vehicle using the route, whichever isthe greater, and a cross-sectional area largeenough to allow a vehicle's speed/impact to beabsorbed. Alternatively, if large rocks are used to

form a safety bank, the rocks will need to be ofsufficient height and mass to absorb the impact.

Vehicle safety

81 This section provides guidance to helpowners, employers etc comply with their legal

duties in ensuring vehicle safety.

82 Regulation 4 of the Provision and Use of

Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires that:

(a) "every employer shall ensure that work

equipment (which includes vehicles] is soconstructed or adapted as to be suitable forthe purpose for which it is used or provided;

(b) in selecting work equipment, evenj employershall have regard to the working conditionsand to the risks to the health and safety ofpersons which exist in the premises orundertaking in which that work equipment isto be used, and any additional risk posed bythe use of that work equipment; and

(C) every employer shall ensure that workequipment is only used for operations, andunder conditions for which, it is suitable'

Design of vehicles

83 The design of vehicles used on public roadsis the subject of detailed legislation. The overallstandard of vehicles used in workplaces should beat least the same as for use on public roads. Forsome particularly hazardous workplaces and work

activities, for example at construction sites, theremay be a need for higher standards or additional

safety features.

84 Where appropriate, the following designfeatures are considered to be particularly importantfor vehicles used at the workplace:

21


22

(a) A high degree of stability under workingconditions;

(b) A safe means of access to and exit from thecab and other parts of the vehicle;

(c) Suitable and effective service and parking

brakes;

(d) Windscreens with wipers, and externalmirrors to provide optimum all-roundvisibility. Closed-circuit TV may beappropriate for some vehicles where the

The driver of a fork lift truck was injured whenhe was struck by a pallet which fell off the backof an HGV while he was unloading it.

The HGV was loaded with pallets of flat-packed

cardboard boxes, packed three pallets high. Thefork lift truck could not reach the top pallet forunloading and so the driver attempted to unloadthe top two pallets as one. The top pallet of the

pair toppled during the lifting procedure and fellapproximately three metres, striking a glancingblow to the driver.

The fork lift truck did not have enough reachand was therefore inappropriate for theunloading procedure. In other circumstances, afork lift truck with protection against fallingobjects might be suitable. It is the employer's

responsibility to provide equipment which issuitable for its intended use.

driver has a very restricted rear view and therisk of injury is high;

(e) A horn, vehicle lights, reflectors, reversinglights and possibly other warning devices (egrotating beacons, reversing alarms);

(f) Suitable painting and markings to make the

vehicle conspicuous;

(g) The provision of seats, and seat belts wherenecessary, that are safe and allow for driver

comfort;

(h) Guards on dangerous parts of the vehicle(eg power take-off s, chain drives, exposedexhaust pipes);

(i) Driver protection from adverse weatherconditions, and also protection from an

inhospitable working environment, eg lowtemperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, andexcessive noise and vibration;

(j) Driver protection to prevent injury in theevent of an overturn, and to prevent the

driver being hit by falling objects.

Privately owned vehicles

85 Employers, managers etc usually have limitedcontrol over the condition of private cars, vans, motor

cycles and pedal cycles brought into the workplace.Nevertheless, their use can be regulated by:

(a) restricting their routes;


(b) providing clearly signposted parking areas,wherever possible away from main routes

and dangerous areas; and

(c) enforcing speed limits. In addition, it shouldbe made clear to all employees that drivingin the workplace calls for the same standardsas on public roads, and often requires evenmore skill and care.

Maintenance

86 Health arid safety in motor vehicle repair2

provides guidance on safe working practices formaintenance work in relation to vehicles.

The workplace

87 Regulation 5 of the Workplace (Health,Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requiresthat "the workplace shall be maintained in anefficient state, in efficient working order and ingood repair" 'Efficient' in this context relates to

health, safety and welfare (not productivity oreconomy). Regulation 12(3) requires that "evelyfloor in a workplace and the surface of every trafficroute shall be kept free from obstructions".

88 To comply with these requirements thefollowing measures should be taken:

(a) Materials which fall on to the road from vehicles

and elsewhere and may present a dangershould be removed as soon as possible;

(b) Roadways should be maintained to provide

23

Side-mounted mirrors

Parking area for employees' cars


24

good grip for vehicles (for example, theyshould be scarified if too smooth, grilled orsanded if slippery, and kept free of oil,

grease and other debris);

(c) Signs and lighting should be kept clean and well

maintained so that they are visible at all times;

(d) Road markings should be renewed whenworn; and

(e) Pot-holes should not be allowed to develop

(if found they should be repaired promptly).

89 Where maintenance work has to be carriedout on or near roads, vehicle traffic should be keptaway from those doing the work. This may involve

the use of cones or barriers, or closing the road orroute to traffic. Warning signs and speed limitsshould be used where appropriate.

Vehicles


Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires "everyemployer to ensure that work equipment ismaintained in an efficient state, in efficient workingorder and in good repair".

91 It is important that vehicles are maintainedso that they remain mechanically sound. Theextent and complexity of maintenance will varyenormously, from basic safety checks by the driverbefore using the vehicle (eg checking that the tyres

are properly inflated) to regular preventivemaintenance inspections carried out atpredetermined intervals of time or mileage.

92 To help identify defects which may occurwhile the vehicle is in use, the driver will needinstruction or training on carrying out appropriatechecks, and reporting any defects found.

Employers may find it helpful to provide driverswith a list of daily checks for their vehicles.

93 Planned preventive maintenance is alsoneeded to prevent failures occurring while thevehicle is in use. Special attention needs to bepaid to the:

(a) braking system;

(b) tyres;Internal roadway with appropriate markings

A safe workplace, safe vehitles and safe drivers

(c) steering;

(d) mirrors and any fittings that enable the driverto see clearly;

(e) windscreen washers and wipers;

(f) warning signals; and

(g) any specific safety systems, eg controlinterlocks to prevent unintended movementof the vehicle ancifor the equipment it carries.

94 The extent and frequency of preventivemaintenance should not be less than the vehicle

manufacturer's instructions.

95 Wherever relevant, the following precautionsshould be taken during vehicle maintenance:

(a) Brakes should be applied and, wherenecessary, wheels chocked. Engines shouldalways be started and run with brakes onand in neutral gear;

(b) Raised bodies should be suitably propped or

supported;

(c) A means of restraining wheels, such as atyre cage, should be used when inflating

tyres on split rim wheels;

(d) Tyres should be removed from wheelsbefore welding, cutting or heating workbegins on a wheel or wheel-rim fitted with atyre, even if the tyre is deflated;

25

Built-in prop for body of tipper lorry


26

(e) Beware of the risk of explosion whendraining and repairing fuel tanks, and frombattery gases. Fuel tanks should never bedrained or filled when the equipment is hot orin a confined space, nor should they bedrained over a pit;

(f) Care should be taken to avoid short-circuitingbatteries. Batteries should be charged inwell-ventilated areas. Suitable personal

protective equipment should be provided andused for handling battery acid;

(g) Measures should be taken to avoid

maintenance personnel breathing asbestosdust from brake and clutch lining pads.

96 Maintenance work should only be done bypeople who have received the relevant

information, instruction and training.

Selection and training of driversand other employees

97 Regulation 13 of the Management of Healthand Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires that

"employers shall:

(a) in entrusting tasks to employees, take intoaccount their capabilities as regards healthand safety; and

(b) ensure that employees are provided with

adequate health and safety training on beingrecruited into the employer's undertaking andon being exposed to new or increased risksat the workplace"

Selection of drivers

98 With a few exceptions, people in the UK must

be aged 17 or over and have passed a driving test

before they can drive vehicles on public roads. Drivers

of large or heavy goods vehicles must, with certain

exceptions, be aged 21 or over and have passed the

appropriate test It is recommended that the same or,

where necessary, higher standards are applied to

people employed to drive vehicles at the workplace.

99 Drivers should be capable of operating thevehicle and related equipment safely, and shouldreceive instruction and training as appropriate.

They will need a mature and reliable attitude to becapable of performing their duties responsibly and

carefully.


100 Employers, managers etc should never allowanyone who is unfit through drink or drugs to drive

any vehicle.

101 Where the workplace has contractors orvisiting drivers, the site operator or principalemployer will usually need to take measures toensure that they are competent to carry out their

duties responsibly and carefully - most likely byobtaining assurances or evidence from the drivers

or their employers (see Contractors, visiting driversand shared workplaces, page 28).

Training

102 A recent study of deaths and injuriesinvolving site dumpers showed that about one thirdof the drivers had little experience of driving thevehicle they had been operating, and had receivedno training at all. Less than half their employershad bothered to check the drivers' competence.

103 Training needs will depend on an indMdual's

previous experience and the type of work they will be

doing. The employers' risk assessment (see Managingthe risks, pages 4-7) should help determine the level

and amount of training needed for each type of work.

Training needs will usually be greatest when drivers

and other employees are newly recruited.

104 It is essential to check what experienceindividuals have of the vehicles they will be usingand the work they will be doing and, whereappropriate, to check that the information they giveis true. For example, employers will usually need to

check that references to training schemes etc are

supported by certificates. Information, instructionand training provided by the employer can thencover aspects of the individuals' work activitieswhich may be unfamiliar to them.

105 It is likely that training will need to cover:

(a) general information about the job, for

example the layout of the workplace routes,how and where to report faults or hazards,

and accident reporting procedures;

27

(b) training and/or checks to ensure that indMduals

can carry out their work duties safely. For adriver this is likely to include information andinstruction on how to operate the vehicle,

information about particular hazards, speedlimits, the appropriate parking and loading

. ,.

I...,:; .


28

areas etc. It may be necessary to testtrainees on site, even when they produceevidence of previous training or related workexperience. It is important to check thattrainees understand the information and

instruction that they receive; and

(c) information on the management structureand level of supervision that will apply, andthe penalties that will be imposed shouldthey fail to comply with instructions and safe

working practices.

106 It is important to stress to individuals therisks associated with unsafe working practices, for

example driving too fast, turning too sharply ordriving on unsafe gradients. They should beinstructed to drive and carry out other vehicle-related work activities in a responsible and carefulmanner. The standard of driving in workplacesshould be at least the same as that required onpublic roads, and in many cases higher. Particularattention will usually need to be given to instructingyounger people, as they are more likely to beunfamiliar with a work environment.

107 A planned programme of refresher trainingwill usually be necessary for all drivers and otheremployees to ensure their continued competence.Also, changes in the work environment or in workactivities may mean that drivers or otheremployees are exposed to new or different risks,

requiring further information, instruction or training.

108 Training is particularly important formaintenance and repair work, as these are a major

source of injuries and fatalities. In a study of 56deaths during vehicle repair work over a three-yearperiod: nine were caused by vehicles falling fromjacks or ramps (axle stands or wheel chocks had

not been used); five were by electrocution; fourfrom tyres bursting; seven from fire or explosion;and seven from the inadvertent movement of avehicle part. All these deaths could have beenavoided if the staff had been properly trained andhad used safe systems of work.

109 It is important to keep training records foreach employee. These should include enoughinformation to be able to identify the employee, the

nature of the training completed, includingrefresher training, and a copy or details of any

certificates gained.

110 A licensing or authorisation system can beused to check that employees are trained and

competent before being allowed to operateparticular vehicles. The licence or authorisation isoften a simple document with details of the typesof vehicles that a person is competent to operate.The information is also usually kept on a central

register.

Contractors, visiting drivers andshared workplaces

Contractors/sub-contractors

111 Where contractors or sub-contractors areemployed at the workplace, the site operator orprincipal employer will need to take measures toensure that their activities fit into the overall


workplace activities without adding undue risks.

112 The site operator or principal employershould check the suitability of the contractor and,

through the contractor, any sub-contractor, interms of health and safety standards. Check for

example:

(a) that the contractor selects and trainsemployees to the required standards and

that they are suitably competent;

- (b) that on previous contracts the contractor has

complied with safe working practices. Wherepossible, check the contractor's accident andill-health record; and

(c) that the contractor's vehicles are suitable fortheir intended purpose and are, and willcontinue to be, properly maintained. Some

employers inspect contractors' vehiclesbefore allowing them to operate on site;others insist on a mechanic's inspection

report covering essential safety components.It may also be necessary to carry out spotchecks to ensure that vehicles remain safeuntil the work is finished.

113 Nevertheless, contractors should be in nodoubt that they are responsible for their ownemployees and their activities.

114 The site operator or principal employer willneed to provide the contractor with appropriatehealth and safety information in relation to thework to be carried out (for example information

about the workplace, the routes to be used, the

vehicles and equipment on site, particular hazards,and other employees on site, including othercontractors, visiting drivers etc) so that the workcan be done safely and in compliance with safe

working practices.

115 The contractor will also need to be madefully aware of the penalties that will be imposed(usually as a result of breach of requirements inthe contract) if standards are not maintained or ifthere is a failure to comply with safe workingpractices. It is important to maintain a system ofadequate supervision of the contractor's work.

116 Authorisation systems have proved to be a:useful way of controlling the work activities ofcontractors and sub-contractors. Licences to

,':.'., ..,.:

I-,' -.----.

ji

29

Speed-limit sign


30

operate on site are issued for specified periods,and then only renewed if contractors havesatisfactorily met the relevant safety standards.

117 When a contractor engages sub-contractors,the contractor can clearly use similar checks andsupervision to exercise control over the sub-contractors. The site operator will usually needevidence from the contractor that adequatecontrols over sub-contractors are in place.

Visiting drivers

118 Some of the checks in paragraphs 111-116will also apply to visiting drivers, It is important toensure that visiting drivers are aware of the layoutof the workplace, the route they need to take, and

relevant safe working practices, eg for parking andunloading. Take account of the fact that deliverydrivers may visit the site rarely, and may only beon site for a short time. It may also be necessaryto allow visiting drivers access to a rest room with

lavatory and washing facilities.

119 The employer at a workplace should liaiseand co-operate as necessary with the employersof visiting drivers to co-ordinate the measures they(the employers) need to take to comply with their

health and safety responsibilities, for example toprovide safe access to a vehicle for loading or

unloading.

Shared premises

120 Regulation 11 of the Management of Healthand Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires that

"where two or more employers share a workplace

(whether on a temporary or a permanent basis)each such employer shall:

(a) co-operate with the other employersconcerned so far as is necessary to enablethem to comply with their health and safety

duties;

(b) take all reasonable steps to co-ordinate themeasures they take to comply with their legalduties; and

(c) take all reasonable steps to inform the otheremployers concerned about the risks to theiremployees' health and safety as a result oftheir work activities'

121 This obligation also applies to self-employedpeople engaged in work activities at a shared

workplace.

122 The form of co-ordination adopted willdepend on the circumstances, but all employersand self-employed people involved will need tosatisfy themselves that the measures they take tocomply with their legal duties are adequate.

123 Normally the site operator, or a mainemployer, controls the worksite, and in such caseswill take responsibility for co-ordinating the

measures, primarily through discussion and byobtaining information from the smaller employersand seeking their agreement to the site-widearrangements which have been established. Allother employers have a responsibility to co-operate.

124 Where there is no employer in overall

control, individual employers and self-employedpeople will need to find a way of agreeing joint

arrangements, for example by appointing a healthand safety co-ordinator. Appointing a health andsafety supervisor or co-ordinator is likely to be themost effective way of:

(a) ensuring co-operation and co-ordination; and

(b) exchanging information efficiently to enableall employers to comply with their health and

safety duties (see Organising for safety,page 8).


31

An employee suffered severe bruising injurieswhen trapped against a door frame by a fork lifttruck.

A delivery driver arrived earlier than expectedat a factory door. There was no trained fork lifttruck driver on site as it was so early. Thedelivery driver decided to operate the site forklift truck himself to unload his vehicle. Hereversed into pallets and then overcorrectedand reversed into the employee.

The operator of the site should have takenmeasures to ensure that the fork lift truck couldonly be used by authorised people. The siteoperator and the driver's employer should have

liaised and agreed procedures for unloadingdelivery vehicles. These procedures shouldhave included fixing a time for vehicles toarrive with deliveries. The driver had aresponsibility not to operate a fork lift truckwithout authorisation.

Examples of safe working practices

]EXAMEJFL]E@ OF AF]EWOTIEIENG JFIAEJHR:JE@125 This section gives examples of safe working

practices for particular activities.

126 There are a number of specific legal dutieswhich are applicable to workplace transportactivities. However, the principal legal duty ofemployers is, so far as is reasonably practicable,to provide and maintain safe systems of work,and to take all reasonably practicable precautionsto ensure the safety of all workers in the

workplace.

127 The previous section covered therequirements for co-operation and co-ordinationwhere two or more employers, or self-employed

people, share a workplace.

128 All employees have a legal duty to take careof their own and others' safety and to co-operate

with management in meeting their obligations.

Reversing of vehicles

129 Nearly a quarter of all deaths involvingvehicles at work occur while vehicles arereversing. Many other reversing accidents do notresult in injury but cause costly damage tovehicles, equipment and premises. Most of these

accidents happen at low speeds, for examplewhen reversing into loading bays, and can be

avoided by taking simple precautions.

130 The most effective way of dealing with therisk of reversing accidents is to remove the needfor reversing altogether. This can be done by

setting up one-way systems, for example drive-through loading and unloading positions.

131 Where reversing cannot be avoided, vehicleoperations can be organised to minimise the needfor reversing. In site locations where reversing is

common, wherever possible:

(a) 'reversing areas' should be clearly identifiedand marked, and be visible to drivers and

pedestrians;

(b) non-essential personnel should be excludedfrom the area;

(c) where safe to do so, consider employing a

properly trained signaller (banksman), bothto keep the reversing area free of

pedestrians and to guide drivers throughsafe manoeuvres. A signaller will need to

use a clear, agreed system of signalling, and


will need to be visible to drivers at all timesand stand in a safe position from which toguide the reversing vehicle. Where

necessary, signallers should wear high-visibility clothing and ensure that their signalsare clearly seen. If drivers lose sight of the

signallers they should stop immediately. Insome circumstances portable radios orsimilar communication systems can be

helpful. (NB: Employers at some workplaces,eg quarries, prohibit the use of signallers dueto the size of vehicles involved and theconsequent difficulty that drivers have in

seeing them.)

132 There are a number of physical steps whichcan be taken to help reduce the risk of reversingaccidents. The following are examples, but it isunlikely that any single measure will be sufficientto ensure safety:

(a) Site layouts can be designed (or modified) toincrease the visibility for drivers and

pedestrians, for example, by increasing thearea allowed for reversing, and installingfixed mirrors in smaller areas;

(b) Most vehicles already have external side-mounted and rear-view mirrors fitted. Theseneed to be kept clean and in good repair.Where appropriate, refractive lenses fitted torear windows or closed-circuit televisionsystems can be used to enable drivers tosee 'blind spots' to the rear of vehicles. If,despite such measures and in the absenceof a signaller, drivers are unable to see

An employee received crushing injuries tohis right leg when a dump truck reversedover him.

The working area was noisy and the

employee was wearing hearing protection.As a result he did not hear the reversingalarm on the dumper. The driver had lookedround behind his 12-tonne vehicle beforereversing, but had not seen his colleague.

As a result of the accident a camera systemwas fitted to the truck to enable the driver tosee the 'blind spot' to the rear of the vehicle.

33

Wheel-stop


34

behind the vehicle, they should leave theircab and check behind the vehicle before

reversing;

(c) Reversing alarms can be fitted. Theseshould be kept in working order. It isimportant that the alarm is loud enough anddistinct to ensure that it does not becomepart of the background noise of the

workplace. In some circumstances, eg wherea reversing alarm might not stand out from

the background noise levels, visible systemssuch as flashing warning lights may be more

appropriate;

(d) Other safety devices can be fined tovehicles. For example, a number of

proprietary sensing and trip devices areavailable which either warn the driver or stopthe vehicle when a person is detected in adanger zone or when a person or obstaclehas been struck by the rear of the vehicle;

(e) Physical stops such as barriers or buffers atloading bays can be used. Where vehiclesreverse up to structures or edges, barriers orwheel stops can be used to warn drivers thatthey are at the limit of their safe reversing

area;

(f) Simple longitudinal guides or white lines onthe floor can help the driver position the

vehicle accurately.

133 It is important that all visiting drivers aremade familiar with the layout of the workplace and

with any site rules with regard to reversing. This

can be done by requiring visiting drivers to reporttheir arrival and receive instructions before

entering the workplace.

Parking of vehicles

134 Wherever possible, vehicles should beparked on level ground, preferably in a designatedparking area. Where parking on a gradient isunavoidable, vehicles should have their brakesapplied, and be left in gear (where safe to do so)and wheel-chocks should be used if necessary.

135 Fatal and serious accidents have occurredas a result of drivers leaving their vehicles withoutensuring that the vehicle or its trailer were securely

braked. Surveys by HSE inspectors have foundnumerous parked trailers without parking brakesapplied and indications that many of the brakemechanisms on such trailers have not been usedduring the working life of the trailer. Those incontrol of workplaces where trailers are parkedneed to take appropriate measures to deter thisunsafe practice.

136 It is important that brakes are fully appliedwhen vehicles or their trailers are parked. This isparticularly important where children are likely to

be in the vicinity (for example, farms). A vehicleshould not be left unless the brakes have been

firmly applied, any mounted equipment lowered tothe ground, the engine stopped, and the starterkey removed.

137 Wherever possible, the following practices


should be followed when coupling an HGV cab ortractor unit to a trailer. Similar procedures shouldbe followed when coupling/uncoupling othervehicle combinations:

(a) The trailer handbrake should be applied (iffitted). The absence of handbrakes is onlyacceptable where the air brakes of the trailerare fail-safe and/or alternative measures are

taken to prevent movement;

(b) The cab should be reversed slowly under thetrailer and a check should be made to ensurethat the fifth wheel is engaged (usually bytrying to drive forward in a low gear). Any

necessary safety clips should be fitted;

(c) The parking brake of the cab should be

applied;

(d) All brake hoses and the electrical supply tothe trailer should be reconnected;

(e) The trailer landing legs should be wound upand the handle secured;

(f) The number plates should be fitted and the

lights checked;

(g) The trailer handbrake should be released (if

fitted).

138 The procedure for uncoupling is usually thereverse of the coupling procedure, but beforeleaving the cab the driver will need to check thatthe cab's brake is applied. The driver will also

need to ensure that the ground is firm enough to

support the landing legs of the trailer (to preventthe trailer becoming unstable).

139 Not all coupling and uncoupling operationstake place in daylight. Even when care is taken toensure that vehicles and trailers cannot move,there remains a significant risk of the driver falling

when carrying out coupling or uncouplingoperations in the dark. Suitable lighting will need tobe provided at the workplace for night work. Where

coupling and uncoupling operations take placeaway from well-lit yards, hauliers can reduce therisks by providing safe and secure access to thearea between the cab or tractor and trailer units bymeans of steps, hand-holds etc, and providingsuitable lighting at the rear of the cab.

140 It is important to secure the keys of vehicles

left parked in workplaces overnight, at weekends,or at other times when they are unused for long

periods.

Access on to vehicles

141 Regulation 13 of the Workplace (Health, Safety

and Welfare) Regulations 1992 requires "employersand any other person who has to any extent control

over the workplace to take, so far as is reasonably

practicable, suitable and effective measures:

(a) to prevent any person falling a distance likelyto cause personal injury; and

(b) to prevent any person being struck by a fallingobject likely to cause a personal injuiy".

35


36


Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires that:

(a) every employer shall ensure that workequipment is so constructed or adapted as tobe suitable for the purpose for which it isused or provided;

(b) in selecting work equipment, evely employershall have regard to the working conditionsand to the risks to the health and safety ofpersons which exist in the premises orundertaking in which that work equipment isto be used and any additional risk posed bythe use of that work equipment; and

(c) every employer shall ensure that work.equipment is used only for operations for

which, and under conditions for which, it issuitable'

143 Getting on and off larger vehicles, forexample for activities such as loading and

unloading, sheeting, cleaning, maintenance etc,can lead to falls causing injury and fatality.

144 Access on to vehicles should be restricted tothose people permitted to do so. No one shouldattempt to gain access while a vehicle is in motion(this is a significant cause of accidents each year).Passengers in particular should only be allowed ona vehicle if it is designed to accommodate them

safely, with suitable seating.

145 Wherever possible, the need for people toclimb on top of vehicles should be avoided. For

example, 'bottom filling' and fitting level gaugesand controls, which are accessible from groundlevel, avoid the need for drivers to climb on top ofroad tankers.

14.6 Gantries at permanent loading stations alsoavoid the need to climb on top of vehicles.

147 Regulation 9 of the Management of Healthand Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires that'here the activities of different employers interact,for example where they share a workplace, thedifferent employers may need to co-operate witheach other and co-ordinate their preventive andprotective measures to ensure that their respectiveobligations are met".

148 The employer of drivers who visit a particular

Ladder and platform for safe access for sheeting


workplace may need to liaise with the employer atthat workplace to decide what measures arenecessary for them to comply with their legalduties. The examples in paragraph 149 relatedirectly to road tankers but the principles are

equally applicable to other large vehicles and largeitems of plant operated within workplaces.

149 Serious injuries have occurred as a result offalls from tankers during delivery and 'dipping' atpetrol stations. In such cases, and in accordancewith the above legal duties, both the employer ofthe tanker driver and the proprietor of the petrolstation have a duty to assess the risks and to take

appropriate preventive and protective measures:

(a) In the first place, the employer of the tankerdriver needs to assess whether dipping' andtop access are necessary or whethersuitable measuring and unloading can bedone from ground level;

(b) Where this is not practical, and permanentsafe access to the top of the tanker is not

provided (le via a handrailed walkwaypermanently fitted to the tanker), analternative means of safe access will need tobe provided. For example, the petrol stationproprietor can provide a suitable set of step

ladders, allowing access nd 'dipping' from asafe position.

150 Where people have to gain access to the topof a road tanker:

(a) wherever possible, access should be via a

properly constructed ladder placed on thefront or back of the tank. The ladder shouldprovide the most convenient access to therelevant part of the tank top, minimising theneed for walkways;

(b) ladders should be of sound construction,properly maintained and securely fixed.Rungs should be horizontal and giveadequate foothold. Ladders should usuallybe vertical or slope inwards towards the top;and

(c) wherever possible, walkways should bemade of the open type of non-slip grating orof non-slip material to give the best possiblegrip in all conditions. Suitable guard-rails

may be needed. They should comprise topand intermediate rails for protecting people

37


38

An experienced HGV driver fractured hischeekbone when he fell approximately fourmetres from the top of a stack of pallets loadedon to a flat-bed trailer. He had climbed on top ofthe stack of pallets to release a snagged ropeused for securing the pallets.

A safe means of access to the top of the pallets

to release the snagged rope should have beenused, for example a ladder. Climbing on top ofloads should be avoided wherever possible.

The employer is responsible for instructingemployees on the use of safe working practices.

working in a crouching position. Collapsiblehandrails are becoming a more commonfeature on new vehicles.

151 Many vehicles and items of mobile plant, for

example high-sided tipping or bulk dischargevehicles, do not incorporate the features describedabove. Operators may need to consider retro-fitting additional features and facilities, or resortingto alternative methods of access that are not fittedto the vehicle. If features are retro-fitted, care willneed to be taken to ensure that the new safetyfeatures do not affect the integrity of thevehicle/tank/mobile equipment, or that the actualoperation of retro-fitting does not involve undue

risks, for example welding on petrol tankers.

Loading and unloading

152 Accidents can occur during loading and

unloading of vehicles, for example employees

being struck by part of a falling load, being struckor run over by a moving or overturning vehicle, or

falling from a height.

153 The following procedures should be followed

where applicable:

(a) Loading/unloading should be carried out inan area away from passing traffic,pedestrians and other people not involved in

the loading/unloading operation;

(b) Loading/unloading should not take place sonear to overhead electric cables that there isa possibility of making contact with them, orof electric arcing between the cables and

vehicles and/or loading equipment;

(c) Loading/unloading operations should neverbe carried out on gradients steep enough tomake the operation unsafe. To maintainstability, trailers should be situated on firmground which is free from pot-holes or debriswhich could cause vehicles and trailers to

overturn;

(d) It may be necessary to safeguard againstmechanical hazards from equipment used

during loading and unloading operations, forexample dock levellers or vehicle tail lifts.The main hazards are likely to be trapping orentanglement in mechanical parts of the

equipment. Appropriate safeguards mightinclude guards or skirt plates to prevent

access to dangerous parts;


(e) Loading/unloading should be carried out insuch a way that, as far as possible, the loadis spread evenly. Uneven distribution canresult in the vehicle or trailer becomingunstable, especially if it is an articulated orsimilar type of trailer which haè beendetached from the powered unit;

(f) Ensure the vehicle or trailer has its brakes

applied and/or is stabilised, as appropriate,to prevent unsafe movements during loading

and unloading operations.

154 Incidents have occurred where drivers have

driven away from a loading bay before unloadingoperations have been completed. It is importantthat measures are taken to prevent this happening.The use of suitable vehicle/trailer restraints or theinstallation of traffic lights can be particularlyeffective. Alternatively, a system of work may beemployed where the person in charge of

loading/unloading operations keeps possession ofthe vehicle keys and/or consignment paperworkuntil the operation has been completed and it issafe for the vehicle to be moved. Such safeguardswould be especially important where there may be

communication problems, eg where foreign driversare involved.

155 In some workplaces it may be practical toinstall an inertia reel fall-arrest system. With thistype of system the people involved in

loading/unloading operations wear harnesseslinked to overhead rails in the loading bay. In theevent of a slip the inertia reel locks, preventing afall.

156 When visiting drivers are not needed forloading or unloading, it is often useful to provide asafe place where they can wait. Drivers should notremain in their cabs if they are likely to be exposedto danger, eg from the risk of goods falling on to

thecab.

157 In conjunction with paragraph 153, thefollowing procedures should be followed when

loading vehicles:

(a) No vehicle should, under any circumstances,be loaded beyond its rated capacity, or itslegal limit of gross weight if it is to be usedon public roads - otherwise it may becomeunstable, difficult to steer or have its braking

efficiency impaired;

(b) Before loading, the floor or deck of thevehicle will need to be checked, eg fordamaged or loose boards or obstructions, toensure that it is safe to load;

(c) The method and sequence of loading shouldallow for safe unloading. Loads should be

evenly distributed, and secured or arrangedso that they do not slide forward if the driverhas to brake suddenly, or slide off if thevehicle has to negotiate steep hills. Whereloads of a particular type are carried

regularly, it may be necessary to provideracking to aid load stability. Agriculturaltrailers can be especially unstable if

incorrectly loaded;

(d) Suitable systems should be used to prevent

39


40

trailers tipping up during loading or affectingthe stability of a tractor/trailer combination

during movement;

(e) Loads should be suitably packaged. Wherepallets are used, the consignor will need tocheck that they are in good condition and thatloads are properly secured on to them. Loadswill often need to be securely attached tovehicles to ensure that they cannot fall off.Detailed methods of securing loads safelycan be found in Safety of loads on vehicles3

and Safety in the use of pallets4;

(f) Tail boards and side boards should beclosed wherever possible. If over-hangcannot be avoided, it should be kept to aminimum and the projecting part of the loadshould be suitably marked.

158 Clear and unambiguous systems of work forunloading vehicles need to be established and

understood by both the company delivering goodsand the recipient. For example, if visiting drivers atretail premises are expected to unload theirvehicles themselves, arrangements will need to beagreed in advance between the haulier and theoccupier of the workplace, and the drivers shouldreceive the necessary instructions, equipment and

co-operation for unloading their vehicles safely.

159 In conjunction with the procedures inparagraph 153, appropriate checks will need to bemade before unloading to ensure that loads havenot moved during transit, and are not likely to fallout when doors are opened, curtain sides

removed, and ropes, sheets and banding taken oft.

160 Some goods, for example cotton bales, aredifficult to restrain during transport. Hauliers andrecipients of these loads will need to exchangedetails of the loads in advance so that they candevelop safe systems of work for unloading. Oneparticular hazard is that of improperly secured

loads, causing doors of vehicles, trailers or freightcontainers to spring open with considerable force,and loads to spill out. In such cases it is oftennecessary to use an effective method of restrainingthe doors so that they can be opened safely.

Tippingof loads

161 A significant number of tipping vehicles,

including rigid body lorries, tipping trailers andtankers, overturn each year with the potential forfatal accidents. The following guidance should helpavoid such accidents:

(a) Where applicable, drivers visiting a siteshould be required to report to the siteoperator for any relevant site instructions

before commencing tipping operations.

(b) The site operator and the visiting driver needto liaise and co-operate, for example to make

arrangements to keep non-essentialpersonnel away from the tipping area.

(c) Tipping operations should be carried out onground that is level and stable, and at alocation free from overhead hazards such aspower lines, pipework etc. The vehicle


should remain level if it is moved forwardduring tipping. Articulated vehicles shouldalways be tipped with the tractor unit andtrailer in line.

(d) At sites which are not level and stable (suchas waste disposal sites) the site operator willneed to ensure that tipping faces are suitableand safe for the vehicles used in tipping

operations, for example by ensuring that thefaces are compacted, and that there are no

significant side slopes.

(e) Wherever possible, and particularly wherereversing operations are being undertaken,suitably sized wheel-stops (lare enough tolet the driver know that he has reached the

A self-employed lorry driver fractured his legwhen scrap steel fell from the trailer of hisvehicle.

Some scrap steel had stuck in the trailer of thevehicle after tipping. The driver re-tipped thetrailer and then, without lowering the trailer,walked round behind it to check that the scrapwas discharged. As he did so some scrapdislodged and fell on to him.

When he realised that some scrap had stuck inthe trailer, the driver should have lowered thebody of the trailer and freed the remaining loadbefore re-tipping the load. The employer isresponsible for ensuring that drivers use safe

working practices.

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

correct

Incorrect

Incorrect

41

Correct

Correct and incorrect tipping


42

limit of reversing) should be used to help

position vehicles correctly for safe tipping.For tipping over unsupported embankmentsor faces, the wheel-stop will need to be far

enough from the edge to prevent the weightof the vehicle causing the ground to collapse.

(f) Before tipping operations start, the drivermay need to check that the load is evenlydistributed across the vehicle. This is

particularly important where the load mighthave slipped sideways, or too far forward,

risking overloading of the tipping gear. Thedriver may also need to check that the loadwill discharge smoothly and safely and that itcannot jam under the tailgate if the load ishigher than the top of the tailgate. Reardoors.of the 'barn door' type should besecured in the open position. Some loads

are particularly prone to sticking or 'hangingup' in the vehicle. Mechanical aids such as

vibratory discharge systems may be neededin such cases.

(g) The tailgate should be released beforetipping, and removed if necessary. Wheretailgates are not removed and the load

discharges through an aperture or hatch, thetailgate latch or securing mechanism shouldbe sufficiently robust to withstand the impactof a released load. The driver should neverstand or walk immediately behind thevehicle, or allow anyone to do so, when the

body is raised or during tipping.

(h) When raising or lowering the body, the driver

should never leave the vehicle and shouldensure that the cab doors are closed. Theuse of 'donkey engines' to drive the tippingmechanism is not ideal as the driver has toremain outside the cab and in a potentially

dangerous area during discharge of the load.

(i) Drivers should be sufficiently experienced toanticipate loads sticking or 'freezing' in thebody. If this happens, the body needs to belowered and the remaining load freed beforethe body is raised again. The vehicle shouldnever be driven in order to shake free astuck load.

(j) After discharge the operator should alwaysensure that the body is completely empty.The driver should not drive more than a fewmetres forward to ensure the load is clear,and should only do this after checking thatthe load is at the bottom of the tipped body.

162 If the vehicle begins to topple over, the drivershould brace him/herself against the back of thedriver's seat and hold firmly on to the steeringwheel. The driver should never try to jump out of alorry that is falling over.

163 Vehicles should not come into contact withpower cables. However, if this does happen, andthe situation cannot be made safe immediately, thedriver should leave the vehicle by jumping clear.The driver should not make contact with theground and the vehicle at the same time as thiswould complete an electrical circuit and causeserious injury. The driver should then ensure that


no-one else comes into contact with the vehiclewhile it is touching the power cable.

Sheetingand unsheeting of loads

164 Sheeting and unsheeting of loads can behazardous, particularly when it is carried outmanually. The person doing the work can slip orlose their grip and fall while sheeting or unsheetingloads, or walking on top of loads. Falls have alsoresulted from torn sheets and breaking ropes.

165 Effective measures are necessary to dealwith the risks. The measures will depend on thetype of load being sheeted/unsheeted, the type ofvehicle, the frequency of sheeting/unsheeting, andthe characteristics of the workplace.

166 Is it possible to use vehicles that do notrequire sheeting? If not, is it possible to use

mechanical or proprietary sheeting systems?These can be either fully or semi-automatic, andare generally purpose-built assemblies attached tothe vehicle body. They enable the load to besheeted and unsheeted from ground level usingsimple mechanical aids such as a crank handle, orautomatically via controls in the driver's cab.

167 Automatic systems can be electrically,pneumatically, or hydraulically powered and canwork by unrolling sheeting from the front to theback of the vehicle body; unrolling sheets fromside to side; sliding the sheet along runners orwires from front to back or side; and levering orflipping' the sheets from centre to side or fromfront to back.

43

Example of mechanically operated sheeting system

Manual sheeting system operated from ground


44

168 Apart from reducing risks to drivers and other

employees, mechanical sheeting systems avoidthe need for sheeting areas, special gantries orplatforms at the premises from which loads aredispatched. There is also likely to be a fuel savingwith a more streamlined load.

169 Where manual sheeting is unavoidable, theneed for a person to go on top of the load shouldbe avoided wherever possible. For example,where sheeting is done frequently it may be

reasonably practicable to provide platforms fromwhich loads can be sheeted without the need toclimb on the vehicle or load. Most sheeting

platforms are simple drive-through systemsproviding a handrailed platform on each side of thevehicle. If platforms are provided there should beenough of them for the through-put of vehicles,and management systems should be in place toensure that the platforms are used properly.

170 Whichever system is used:

(a) sheeting and unsheeting operations need tobe carried out in designated parts of the

workplace, away from passing traffic andpedestrians and, where possible, shelteredfrom strong winds and bad weather. Extracare will need to be taken in wet or icy

conditions;

(b) vehicles should be parked on level ground,with their parking brakes on and the ignition

key removed; and

(c) gloves, safety boots, and where necessary

eye and head protection should be provided

and used by people engaged in sheeting andunsheeting activities.

171 Where it is necessary to gain access to theload, a safe means of access should be provided,ie a suitable ladder and hand-grips. Mud-guardsand wheels should not be used as steps. In someworkplaces it may be practical to install an inertiareel fall-arrest system.

172 For manual sheeting, the following practiceis recommended:

(a) The sheet should already be suitably foldedin a position to the front of the vehicle bodyon a sheet rack or purpose-built shelf or oncarrier hooks. Sheets will need to be largeenough to cover the load with at least150 mm (6") overlap of the tail-gate andsides. Ropes and straps will need to be longenough to be tied to the base of the vehiclebody and be of sufficient weight to resistbeing blown in the wind.

(b) The driver should walk down the centre of• the load rolling out the folded top sheet whilefacing the rear of the vehicle body. When

half way along the load, or in any event nocloser than two metres from the rear of thevehicle, the driver should turn round and pullthe sheet tight. It is important that the sheetis not pulled at any other time.

(c) The driver should turn round and while facingthe rear of the vehicle throw the remainder of


the sheet and ties over the tail-gate. Whilestanding in the centre of the load the drivershould open out the sheet, throwing thesheet and ties over the sides of the body.The driver should then return to the front ofthe body walking forwards along the centreof the load and return to the ground using theladder and handles provided. The drivershould never jump from the body or usewheels as makeshift steps.

(d) The sheet should be pulled tight from ground

level and the ropes secured to the body hooks.

173 For manual unsheeting, the followingpractice is recommended:

(b) Then, facing the tail-gate and standing atleast one metre from the edge of the body,the driver should pull in the rear of the sheet.

(c) Facing the cab, the driver should then roll upthe sheet and secure it on to the sheet-rackor carrier hook. This leaves the sheet in acondition for safe sheeting as outlined in

paragraph 172.

174 Ropes and sheets can break or rip so thedriver should avoid leaning backwards whenpulling the sheet tight and should never do so atthe end of the vehicle body. When pullingsheeting, the driver should always have one footbehind the other to avoid overbalancing.

(a) After untying ropes/straps first, the drivershould climb up using a safe means ofaccess and, standing on the centre of theload and facing the edge of the body, fold inthe sides of the sheet.

45

Appendices

A]PFJENJIUJIEX Ji

The following checklist is intended as a guide to o Are there suitable parking areas for allindicate the areas that employers should look at parking needs?when:

o Do the vehicle routes avoid sharp or blind

(a) trying to identify the hazards associated with bends?vehicle activities; and

o Is there scope for introducing a one-way

(b) assessing whether existing precautions are system on vehicle routes within theadequate or whether more precautions are workplace to reduce the risk of collisions?needed.

2 Check that vehicle traffic routes are suitableIt also gives some commonsense ideas for for the type and quantity of vehicles which usereducing the risk. The checklist will not necessarily them. For example:be comprehensive or relevant for all worksituations. o Are they wide enough?

The workplace o Are they well constructed, ie do they havefirm and even surfaces?

1 Check that the layout of routes is appropriatefor the vehicle and pedestrian activities at the o Are they free from obstructions and other

workplace. For example: hazards?

o Are vehicles and pedestrians kept safely o Are they well maintained?

apart?3 Check that suitable safety features are

o Are there suitable pedestrian crossing points provided where appropriate. For example:on vehicle routes?

o Are roadways marked where necessary, eg

to indicate the right of way at road junctions?

o Is there a need for direction signs, speed

limit signs and, where applicable, signs suchas Give way, No entiy etc?

o Is there a need for features such as fixedmirrors to provide greater vision at blindbends, road humps to reduce vehiclespeeds, or barriers to keep vehicles and

pedestrians apart?

The vehicles

4 Check that vehicles are safe and suitable forthe work for which they are being used. For

example:

o Do they have suitable and effective serviceand parking brakes?

o Do they have windscreens with wipers, andsuitable external mirrors to provide optimum

all-round visibility?

o Are they provided with horns, lights,reflectors, reversing lights and other safetyfeatures as necessary?

o Do they have seats and, where necessary,seat belts that are safe and provide drivercomfort?

o Are there guards on dangerous parts of the

vehicles, eg power take-offs, chain drives,

exposed exhaust pipes?

o Do drivers need protection against badweather conditions, or against an unpleasantworking environment, ie the cold, dirt, dust,fumes, and excessive noise and vibration?

o Is there a safe means of access to and exitfrom the cabs and other parts that need to bereached?

o Is there a need for driver protection againstinjury in the event of an overturn, and to

prevent the driver being hit by fallingobjects? -

5 Check that the vehicles are subject to

appropriate maintenance procedures. For

example:

o Do the drivers carry out basic safety checksbefore using vehicles?

o Is there a regular preventive maintenanceprogramme for each vehicle, carried out atpredetermined intervals of time or mileage?

Drivers and other employees

6 Check that your selection and trainingprocedures ensure that your drivers and otheremployees are capable of performing their work

activities safely and responsibly. For example:

o Do you check the previous experience ofyour drivers and test them to ensure they are

competent?

Appendices

47

Appendices

48

• Do you provide training on how to performthe job, and information about particular

hazards, speed limits, the appropriateparking and loading areas etc?

• Do you have a planned programme ofrefresher training for drivers and otheremployees to ensure their continued

competence?

7 Check what your drivers and other

employees actually do when undertaking theirwork activities. For example:

• Do your drivers drive with care, eg use thecorrect routes, drive within the speed limitand follow any other site rules?

• Do they park safely and in safe locations?

• Are your employees using safe workingpractices, eg when loading/unloading,secunng loads, carrying out maintenance etc?

• Are your drivers and other employees havingto rush to complete their work on time, or isthere a risk of accidents caused by fatigue as

a result of excessive working hours?

8 Check, in consultation with your employees,

that your level of management control/supervisionis suitable. For example:

• Are your supervisors, drivers and other

employees, including contractors and visitingdrivers, aware of the site rules and aware oftheir responsibilities in terms of maintaining a

safe workplace and safe working practices?

• Is everyone at the workplace supervised andheld accountable for their responsibilities,

and is a clear system. of penalties enforcedwhen employees, contractors etc fail tomaintain standards?

Vehicle activities

9 Check that the need for REVERSINGmanoeuvres is kept to a minimum, and wherereversing is necessary that it is undertaken safelyand in safe areas. For example:

• Is there scope for introducing one-waysystems on routes to reduce the need for

reversing manoeuvres?

• Can you exclude non-essential personnelfrom areas where reversing is common?

• Is there a need to clearly identify and mark'reversing areas' to be clear to both drivers

and pedestrians?

• Is there a need for a signaller (banksman) todirect reversing vehicles?

• Are there external side-mounted and rear-view mirrors on the vehicles to provide

optimum all-round visibility?

• Do the vehicles have reversing alarms?

10 Check that drivers take care when PARKINGtheir vehicles, including their own private cars, andthat they park in safe locations. For example:

• Do your drivers use the designated parkingareas?

• Do they always ensure that their vehiclesand trailers are braked and secured before

leaving them parked?

11 Check that LOADING AND UNLOADINGoperations are carried out safely. For example:

• Are loading/unloading operations carried outin an area away from passing traffic,pedestrians and others not involved in the

loading/unloading operation?

• Are loading/unloading activities carried out

using safe systems of work on ground usingsafe systems of work that is flat, firm andfree from pot-holes?

• Are the vehicles braked and/or stabilised, asappropriate, to prevent unsafe movements

during loading and unloading operations?

• Is loading/unloading carried out so that, asfar as possible, the load is spread evenly toavoid the vehicle or trailer becomingunstable?

• Are checks made to ensure that loads aresecured and arranged so that they cannotmove about, eg slide forward if the driver hasto brake suddenly, or slide off if the vehiclehas to negotiate steep inclines?

• Are there checks to ensure that vehicles arenot loaded beyond their capacity?

12 Check that TIPPING operations are carriedout safely. For example:

• Do visiting drivers report to the site managerfor any relevant instructions prior to

commencing tipping operations?

• Are non-essential personnel excluded from

tipping areas?

• Are tipping operations undertaken on groundthat is level and stable, and at a location freefrom overhead hazards such as power lines,

pipework etc?

Appendices

49

Appendices

50

• Where sites are not level and stable, are thetipping faces safe for vehicles involved in

tipping operations, eg compacted and withno significant side slopes?

• Is there a need for suitably sized wheel-stopswhere vehicles need to reverse prior to

tipping?

• Are tailgates released prior to tipping, andremoved when necessary?

• Do drivers check that their loads are evenlydistributed across the vehicle prior to

commencing tipping operations?

• Are the drivers sufficiently experienced to

anticipate loads sticking?

• Do drivers always ensure that the body iscompletely empty, and drive no more than afew metres forward to ensure the load is

clear?

13 Check that SHEETING AND UNSHEETINGoperations are carried out safely. For example:

• Are sheeting and unsheeting operationscarried out in safe parts of the workplace,

away from passing traffic and pedestriansand sheltered from strong winds and badweather?

• Are the vehicles parked on level ground, withtheir parking brakes on and the ignition keyremoved?

• Are gloves, safety boots and, where

necessary, eye and head protectionprovided, and used by those engaged in the

sheeting/unsheeting operations?

• Is there scope for using proprietary sheetingsystems to avoid the need for manual

sheeting?

• Where manual sheeting is unavoidable, isthere a system in place which avoids theneed for a person to climb on the vehicle or

load, ie by providing a platform from whichloads can be sheeted?

Appendkes

APPENDIX 2Legislation applicableto transport safety

The following is the principal legislation and Safety representatives and safety committees (Thesupporting guidance applicable to transport safety Brown Book). L87 HSE Books 1996at the workplace: ISBN 07176 1220 1

Management of Health and Safety at Work Traffic Signs Regulations and General DirectionsRegulations 1999 (SI 1999/3242) Stationery Office 2002 (SI 2002/3113) Stationery Office1SBN0110856252 1SBN0110429427

Management of health and safety at work. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and DangerousManagement of Health and Safety at Work Occurrences Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/3163)Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice and Stationery Office ISBN 0 11 053751 3guidance L21 HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0717624889 .

Guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases andWorkplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 HSE1992 (SI 1992/3004) Stationery Office Books 1999 ISBN 071762431 51SBN0110258045 . .

There is other sector specific legislation applicableWorkplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) to workplace transport safety, for example theRegulations. Approved Code of Practice and Factories Act 1961, the Docks Regulations 1988,guidance L24 HSE Books 1992 ISBN 0717604136 the Quarry Vehicles Regulations 1970, the

Agricultural (Tractor Cabs) Regulations 1974 andProvision and Use of Work Equipment Regulationsthe Prevention of Accidents to Children in

1998 (Si 1998/2306) Stationery OfficeAgriculture Regulations 1998.

Safe use of work equipment. Provision and Use ofWork Equipment Regulations 1998. ApprovedCode of Practice and guidance L22 HSE Books1998 ISBN 0717616266

Safety Representatives and Safety. CommitteesRegulations 1977 (SI 1977/500) Stationery OfficeISBNO11 0705009

51

Appendices

REFERENCES ANDFURTHER GUIDANCEReferences Reversing vehicles INDG148 HSE Books 1993

(single copies free; ISBN 07176 10632 for priced1 Danger, vehicles at work Video HSE Books packs of 15 copies)ISBN 0 71 76 1874 9

Rider operated lift trucks - operator training2 Health and safety in motor vehicle repair Approved Code of Practice and guidance HSEHSG67 HSE Books 1997 ISBN 0717604837 Books 1999 ISBN 0717624552

3 Safety of loads on vehicles The StationeryTractor action: A step-by-step guide to using

Office 1984 (Second edition) ISBN 0 11 5506667tractors safely INDG1 85(revl) HSE Books 1995

4 Safety in the use of pallets HSE Books 1998 (single copies free; ISBN 0 71762711 X for priced

ISBN 0 7176 1522 7 packs of ten copies)

While every effort has been made to ensure theFurther guidance accuracyof the references listed in this publication,

Safety in working with lift trucks HSG6 HSE Books their future availability cannot be guaranteed.

2000 ISBN 0 7176 1781 5

Successful health and safety management HSG65HSE Books 1997 ISBN 07176 12767

Health and safety in retail and wholesalewarehouses H5G76 HSE Books 1992ISBN 0 11 885731 2

Printed and published by the Health and Safety Executive Cl 5 Reprinted 9/03

HSELBOOKS

ftflflk©D®®0Af3liU1K ®O 3fl3

— —fluw

¶

ISBN 0—7176—0935—9

9 780717 609352

OBC

www.hsebooks.co.uk

www.hse.gov.uk

Documents

Workplace Transport Safety - Antaris Consultingantarisconsulting.com/docs/guides/unit_igc2/WorkplaceTransport...Legislation applicable to workplace transport safety REFERENCES AND