Workplace Transport Safety
Introduction
Every year, a significant number of people are killed
by accidents involving vehicles in the workplace, and
many more people are injured.
A lot of damage is also done to property and profit.
Better planning, training and awareness, and the
appropriate use of vehicles, can avoid most of these
accidents.
Session objective
Help participants involved in transport
in the workplace reduce the chances of
accidents happening.
Responsibilities
By law, employers have a general duty to
ensure that the health and safety of their
employees and members of the public is not
put at risk as a result of the work that they do.
Employees also have a duty to look after their
own health and safety, and that of anyone
who might be affected by their work.
Workplace transport
Workplace transport means any vehicle that
is used in a work setting, such as forklift
trucks, compact dumpers, tractors or mobile
cranes.
It can also include cars, vans and large
goods vehicles when these are operating off
the public highway.
Workplace Transport Hazards
People struck, run over or crushed by
vehicles
Vehicles colliding with each other or
plant/equipment
People falling from vehicles
Items falling from vehicles
Control Measures
Design & Layout of Road
Systems
Wide enough for largest vehicle permitted
One way systems where necessary
Avoid routes close to vulnerable plant
Avoid sharp and blind bends
Use mirrors to improve vision
Make entrances/gateways wide enough
Mirrors to improve drivers vision
round the corner
Design & Layout of Road
Systems
Sensible speed limits & signpost
Use speed humps
Display prominent signs where necessary
Provide screens for protection from exhaust
fumes
Pedestrians
Provide separate routes for pedestrians
Provide barriers or rails at entrances/exits
Fork lift routes should be indicated by floor
lines
Where pedestrian & vehicle routes cross,
crossings should be provided
Provide subways if necessary
Pedestrians
Separate vehicle and pedestrian doors
should be provided, with vision panels
on all doors
Routes to be used by public should be
clearly signposted
Separate pedestrian and
vehicle door
Pedestrians
Separate doors for
vehicles & pedestrians
Vision panel
Pedestrians
Separate doors for
pedestrian access/egress
Vision panel
Parking Areas
Suitable & sufficient parking areas for
work & private vehicles
Safe locations – drivers should not
have to cross dangerous areas
Parking areas should be well lit
Loading Bays
Loading areas are often arranged into bays, with a
raised platform for vehicles to park against that
allows site staff to move straight into the load body.
Safe refuges (boltholes) to prevent crushing
Edges of bays clearly marked
Edges may need edge protection
Where there is a danger of people falling off
platforms or bays in loading areas, the platforms or
bays may need to be fenced
Protection against adverse weather conditions may
be necessary
Road Construction
Constructed of suitable surfaces
Kept free of obstructions
Kept free from articles/substances which
cause slips/trips/falls
Constructed of tarmacadam or concrete
where possible
Firm and even with suitable drainage
Avoid steep gradients
Lighting
All roads, manoeuvring areas and yards
should be adequately lit particularly:
Junctions
Buildings
Plant
Pedestrian areas
Places where there is regular movement of
vehicles or mobile plant
Road Signs
Adequate signposts at relevant places
Suitable warning signs may be necessary
e.g. sharp bends, steep gradients etc.
Similar signs may be necessary for
pedestrians
Where necessary, signs may need to be
illuminated or reflectorised
Vehicle Design
Stability Lights, reflectors,
Safe access/egress reversing lights and
possibly other warning
Service & parking brakes devices
Windscreens wipers Suitable paintings and
External mirrors to markings
provide visibility –CCTV Guards on dangerous
may be necessary parts
Horn Seats and seat belts
Protection to prevent Protection from adverse
weather
injury in event of
overturn, and to protect Protection from
inhospitable
driver from falling objects environments e.g. dust,
fumes, low temperature
Maintenance
Materials on road should be removed
Roadways should be maintained
Signs & lighting cleaned and kept visible
Road markings renewed when worn
Pot holes not allowed to develop
Vehicle Maintenance
Provide drivers with list of daily checks
Planned preventive maintenance
Consider manufacturers recommendations
Brakes applied & wheels chocked
Raised bodies suitably propped
Trained and competent maintenance staff
Vehicle Maintenance
Built-in prop for
body of tipper
lorry
Driver Selection
Over 18 years old normally
Be fully able to operate the vehicle and
related equipment safely, and should receive
comprehensive instruction and training so
that they can work safely.
Mature attitude & be reliable
Not under influence of drugs/alcohol
Ensure visiting drivers are competent
Driver Training
Provide suitable training/certification as
required
Stress hazards, risks & safe system
Refresher training as necessary
Keep training records
Lift truck looking backwards when
driving
Contractors & Visiting Drivers
Provide plan of workplace
Regular meetings
Check contractors safe systems and
procedures
Reversing Vehicles
Remove need for reversing
One way systems
Identify & mark reversing areas
Exclude non-essential personnel from area
Use banksmen and recognised signals
Install stop blocks or buffers to prevent
vehicles reversing onto holes
Reversing alarms
Sensors and trip devices
CCTV
Guidelines on floor may help driver
Access on to Vehicles
Restricted to authorised persons
Edge protection
Properly constructed ladders
Non slip grating for walkways
Loading or Unloading
Carried out in areas away from traffic
Not take place near to OH Lines
Not carried out on steep gradients
Safeguard against mechanical hazards from
tail lifts
Load/unload as evenly as possible
Apply brakes
Do not overload vehicles
Tipping
Keep non-essential personnel away
Carry out at ground level
Away from OH Lines
Use wheel stops where necessary
Jump clear if vehicle is made live
Tipping
Stop block
Concrete block
Sheeting & Unsheeting
Hazardous when done manually
Use mechanical sheeting where possible
Avoid people on top of load
Rain or ice can make vehicle surfaces or the top of a
load slippery, risking a fall
Working at height can involve being near dangerous
objects, such as hot vertical exhausts or overhead
power lines.
Carry out away from traffic and strong winds or bad
weather
Sheeting & Unsheeting
Example of
mechanically
operated
sheeting system
