Workplace Transport – Code of Practice 3.47
Distribution: To be brought to the attention of all Directors, Heads of Service, Premises
Managers, Supervisors, Employees and Trade Union Representatives.
Introduction
Every year, a significant number of people are killed by accidents involving vehicles in the
workplace, and many more are injured. A lot of damage is also done to property. Better
planning, training, awareness, and the appropriate use of vehicles, can avoid most of
these accidents.
The Council has a wide variety of workplaces including schools, depots and transport
workshops this guidance is applicable to all workplaces, including employee and public car
parks under the Council’s control.
This Code of Practice has been produced to provide managers with practical information
on how to eliminate or reduce workplace transport risks and prevent vehicle accidents at
work. The most common accidents are caused by:
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people being hit by vehicles
people falling from vehicles
objects falling from vehicles on to people
vehicles toppling over
Definition
Workplace transport relates to any vehicle that is used in a work setting, such as fork lift
truck, compact dumpers, tractors or mobile cranes. It can also include cars vans and large
goods vehicles when these are operating off the public highway.
Contents
Responsibilities
- Designer & Client
- Manager
Risk Assessment Process
Workplace Transport Risk Control Indicators
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Workplace Transport – Code of Practice 3.47
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Page 3
Page 3
- Safe Site
- Safe Driver
- Safe Vehicles
Falls from vehicle
Workplace Transport Hazard Checklist
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Page 14
Page 16
Page 20
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RESPONSIBILITIES
Designers and Clients
This Code of Practice must be used by Designers and Clients to inform best practice
around design decisions for the alteration of existing and construction of new premises.
Sites must be designed and arranged so that vehicle movements are eliminated, or kept to
a minimum. Sites must be constructed and set out in such a way to make it safe for the
people and vehicles using it. Advice can be sought from the Traffic Management, Car
Parks and Road Safety Section, however in general the following points should be
considered:
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traffic routes, preferably one-way, should be planned, signposted and, where
possible, kept separate from doors, gates and routes for pedestrians;
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where vehicles and pedestrians use the same routes they should be separated,
with appropriate crossing points clearly marked, and signposted where necessary;
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traffic routes must avoid sharp bends and passing close to vulnerable items, e.g.
fuel pipes;
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road and route junctions must be kept to a minimum with well signposted warnings
of any potential obstructions/hazards being given, e.g. limited headroom;
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traffic entrances must be wide enough, ideally to allow 2 vehicles to pass each
other;
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speed limits appropriate to the site must be set and clearly signposted;
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sufficient and safe parking areas must be provided for all vehicles using the site;
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clearly marked loading bays must, as far as possible, be situated in safe locations;
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wherever possible, roads etc. must be constructed of tarmacadam, concrete, or
other suitable material and provide a stable surface for vehicle movements and
operations;
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all roads and areas (including temporary worksites) where traffic movements take
place should be adequately lit;
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where signposts etc. are used they should be constructed to Highway Code
standards.
Management Responsibilities
The Premises Manager is ultimately responsible for management of workplace transport
on existing sites. Where there is no one person in control of a particular site, senior
managers must agree between themselves who will lead and co-ordinate workplace
transport risk assessments and enforce relevant site rules. This should be documented
in local Health & Safety arrangements. Responsibilities include:
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Encouraging everyone to improve health and safety;
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Refusing to accept unsafe practices;
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Introducing and actively monitoring workplace transport rules;
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Any contract should spell out the need for workers to act safely. It should also
clearly spell out the penalties for those who do not act safely;
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Health and safety requirements are identified at the contract stage. These should
be communicated to all those involved, including agency and contract drivers;
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Checks should be made to make sure that agency, contract workers and delivery
drivers all meet safety requirements;
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Duty holders should know what action to take when workers fail to work safely;
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Health and safety should always be thought about before any changes are made in
the workplace. The changes may be because there are new vehicles or a change in
how the work is done.
RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Managers should apply the Council’s general procedures for risk assessment. The generic
risk assessment form HSRA2 should be used to record findings.
Managers first need to identify the work activities involving workplace transport. They then
need to look at each activity and ask what are the possible dangers and what is causing
those dangers. For example:
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Is there a danger of people being struck or run over by moving vehicles and what is
the cause
Is there a danger of people falling from vehicles
Is there a danger of being struck by an object falling from a vehicle
Is there a danger of the vehicle overturning
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As with all risk assessments the first thing to identify are the hazards, areas to consider
should include:
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The vehicles themselves. Are they safe and suitable for their use, are they
properly maintained.
The actions of the drivers and others who are near to vehicles. Are there
pressures on operators that might encourage them to work less safely. For example
do they have to rush to complete their work on schedule. Is there a risk of drivers
becoming over tired. Are they working safely e.g. when getting into or out of
vehicles during loading or unloading and are they observing routes and speed
limits. Look for ‘short cuts’ that drivers may be tempted to use in both routes and
safety procedures.
The routes or roadways used by the vehicles. Are they safe and suitable for the
types and number of vehicles using them. Are they properly maintained. Have you
considered nearby obstructions, curbs or edges.
What other people are doing. Are other workers, customers or members of the
public kept clear of workplace vehicles wherever possible.
Managers should ask drivers, supervisors and any other employees at the site for their
views on any problems and what could be done to make the work safer.
The checklists attached as Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 will assist you with this process.
Deciding who might be harmed and how
The people that are likely to be harmed is anyone employed at the workplace or anyone
who comes on site. This is likely to include drivers, all other employees, contractors, subcontractors, visiting drivers and members of the public.
Evaluating the risks
There are not many examples of hazards involving workplace transport that are low risk,
because transport accidents are usually quite serious, or at least have the potential to be
serious.
However unlikely it is, if a hazard could cause serious harm, the risk is higher. For
example, although it may be unlikely that a person may be struck by a load falling from a
vehicle, if it did happen, someone could be killed or suffer serious injury, so the risk is high.
If you have already taken measures to reduce particular risks, you will need to ask whether
the other risks are acceptably low. For example; you might decide that as well as setting
speed limits on vehicle routes, other measures such as road humps may be needed to
make sure that vehicles do not drive too fast.
If you decide that something more needs to be done, you should first try to remove the
problem altogether (for example, by restricting vehicle movements to certain parts of the
workplace). If you cannot remove the problem, try to reduce the risks to as low as
reasonably practicable.
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WORKPLACE TRANSPORT RISK CONTROL INDICATORS
To effectively control the risks associated with Workplace Transport Managers need to
consider four aspects of work these are:
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Safe Sites
Safe Vehicle
Safe Driver
Safe Working Procedures
The information detailed below looks at each of these in turn and provides managers,
supervisors and employees with examples of good practice.
Safe Sites
Every site is different so it is not possible to be prescriptive with guidance. However, there
are common principles which if followed will significantly reduce the risk of serious
incidents occurring. Remember that drivers, vehicles and pedestrians rarely behave
perfectly, so allow adequate safety margins whenever possible.
Entrances
Entrances must be signed and provide clear guidance to
visitors about where they need to go to report to Reception.
Pedestrian/Vehicle Segregation
Wherever possible, there must be a separate entrance for pedestrians
to ensure segregation from vehicles.
Wherever possible, pedestrians and vehicles must be physically
separated throughout the site. This can be designed into new sites,
but may be more difficult with existing premises, due to the layout and
physical constraints.
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Traffic Routes
Pedestrians and vehicles must be able to circulate safely and where they share a route,
they must be separated. The route must be wide enough for the largest permitted vehicle
to use.
Traffic routes must also keep vehicle routes away from doors or gates that pedestrians
use, or pedestrian routes that lead onto them, so that the safety of pedestrians is not
threatened.
There must be enough time for a driver, or pedestrian, to react successfully if they
encounter one another (for example where there is limited visibility, or where other noise
might mask the approach of a vehicle).
Pedestrians should be kept away from areas where vehicles are working, unless they
need to be there. Where possible, pedestrian routes should represent the paths people
would naturally follow to encourage people to stay on them.
Where needed, you should provide suitable barriers or guardrails for example:
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At the entrances and exits to buildings
At the corners of buildings, and;
To prevent pedestrians from walking straight onto roads.
Where vehicle and pedestrian routes cross, a marked, signed, and preferably raised
crossing must be provided. Signage must warn of the crossing and that drivers must give
way to pedestrians.
Routes should avoid sharp or blind bends. There should be enough visibility at junctions
and bends to allow drivers and pedestrians to see anything that might be dangerous.
Where you cannot avoid them, consider measures such as traffic mirrors to help drivers
see what is around the corner.
Landscaping can reduce visibility at junctions and bends. Grass banks, hedges and
planters should not interfere with driver/pedestrian visibility. Stop signs and signals will be
required where visibility cannot be improved.
The height of the vehicle must be taken into account, e.g. when the body of a vehicle is
raised. Potentially dangerous overhead obstructions must be identified and access to
these areas by these vehicles prohibited.
It is important to plan where certain types of vehicle operation will take place, including;
loading, unloading, sheeting, tipping etc. It is also important to plan where waste or
recycling bins, skips or other containers are placed.
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Temporary Traffic Routes
Temporary workplaces such as construction sites often have routes for vehicles and
pedestrians which change as work progresses, or unprepared routes such as unsurfaced
roads or open ground. Managers need to consider:
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Driver Competence, particularly in dealing with the sorts of hazards encountered on
unprepared sites
Providing information and instruction to drivers, especially if they are not familiar
with temporary roadways
Safe System of Work and traffic management for example the use of temporary
road signs and traffic lights
Supervision of drivers, vehicle activities and other employees
Reversing
Nearly a quarter of all deaths involving vehicles at work occur during reversing. Many other
reversing accidents do not result in injury but cause costly damage to vehicles, equipment
and premises.
Most of these accidents can be avoided by taking simple precautions, such as those
below.
Remove the need for reversing altogether, by setting up one-way systems, for example
drive-through loading and unloading positions. Where reversing is unavoidable, routes
should be organised to minimise the need for reversing. Ensure visiting drivers are familiar
with the layout of the workplace, and with any site rules. Do drivers have to report to
reception on arrival?
When designing a new site, avoiding the need to reverse should be addressed and
eliminated during the design phase.
In this example parking is banned from the whole courtyard
area with replacement parking arranged offsite. Pedestrian
walkways are now clearly marked, pedestrian barriers and
bollards have been added. Waste management is
controlled.
Access is efficient for delivery vehicles. People are now able to reach their place of work
safely by using the walkways provided. Good housekeeping makes pedestrians easier to
see as they use the courtyard.
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There will be locations where reversing cannot be avoided and it is important to minimise
the distance vehicles have to reverse. 'Reversing areas' should be planned out and clearly
marked and provide sufficient space.
People who do not need to be in reversing areas should be excluded and kept well clear.
Ensure that the system of work prevents unauthorized people from entering the areas.
Use barriers and clear demarcation lines which can be seen by drivers and pedestrians.
When high visibility clothing is worn it will considerably improve the safety of people on
site, so consider your policy and where it applies.
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Identify all the people who are involved with the reversing of vehicles and take into
account their capabilities when allocating tasks and deciding what training should
be given. Consider identifying and training banksmen, both to keep the reversing
area free of pedestrians and to ensure a safe vehicle maneuver.
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Will need to use a clear, agreed system of signaling;
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Will need to be visible to drivers at all times;
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Will need to stand in a safe position, from which to guide the reversing vehicle
without being in its way;
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Should wear very visible clothing, such as reflective vests, and ensure that any
signals are clearly seen;
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If drivers lose sight of the signalers they should know to stop immediately;
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Consider whether portable radios or similar communication systems would be
helpful;
Site layouts can be designed (or modified) to increase visibility for drivers and pedestrians,
for example by:
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increasing the area allowed for reversing;
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installing fixed mirrors in smaller areas;
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reducing the dangers caused by 'blind-spots';
Most vehicles already have external side-mounted and rear-view mirrors fitted. These
need to be kept clean and in good repair;
Refractive lenses fitted to rear windows or closed-circuit television systems can be used to
help drivers to see behind the vehicle;
If drivers cannot see behind the vehicle, they should leave their cab and check behind the
vehicle before reversing;
Reversing alarms can be fitted:
These should be kept in working order;
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Audible alarms should be loud and distinct enough that they do not become part of
the background noise;
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where an audible alarm might not stand out from the background noise, flashing
warning lights can be used;
Other safety devices can be fitted to vehicles:
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For example, a number of 'sensing' and 'trip' systems are available, which either
warn the driver or stop the vehicle when an obstruction is detected close to, or
comes in contact with, the reversing vehicle.
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Stops such as barriers, or buffers at loading bays can be used. They should be
highly visible, and sensibly positioned.
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Where vehicles reverse up to structures or edges, barriers or wheel stops can be
used to warn drivers that they need to stop.
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White lines on the floor can help the driver position the vehicle accurately.
Parking
Provide marked parking areas for vehicles and where possible, separate vehicles. For
example; avoid the need for car drivers to park in the same area as HGVs. Drivers leaving
parked vehicles should not have to cross potentially dangerous areas.
When drivers enter a workplace where parking is controlled you should clearly tell them
(by signage if necessary) that they may only park in certain areas and how to recognise
these areas.
Wherever possible parking areas should be designed so that only simple manoeuvres are
needed for vehicles to park and leave. Try to avoid the need for reversing.
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If a driver needs to move the load area of their vehicle close to a structure, reversing will
often be unavoidable. However, parking arrangements can often be made in drive through
patterns. If you can’t implement drive through parking, arrangements should encourage
reverse parking (bays angled backwards to the flow of traffic). This will reduce the number
of vehicles reversing out into the flow of traffic and improve visibility for reversing vehicles.
Vehicles should be parked on firm and level ground, in a designated parking area if one is
available.
Parking areas should be:
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Level
Firm
Well lit
Clearly marked, with safe walking areas
Where vehicles have to be parked on a slope, they should:
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be parked facing up or down the slope, never sideways on.
have their brakes applied
be left in gear (when it is safe to do so).
wheel-chocks must be used when necessary.
Drivers must NEVER leave their vehicles without making sure that the vehicle and its
trailer are securely braked.
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People in control of workplaces where trailers are parked must make sure that
drivers know trailer brakes MUST be used. Vehicle brakes are NOT designed to
make trailers safe. Warning signs and instructions to drivers are some ways to help
make sure that trailer breaks are used.
A vehicle should not be left unless the brakes have been firmly applied, the engine
stopped, the starter key removed, and any mounted equipment lowered to the ground.
Remember:
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Brakes ON
Engine OFF
Key OUT
Equipment SAFE
Always secure the keys of vehicles left parked in workplaces overnight, at weekends, or
when they are being left for long periods.
Speed
Limiting the speed that vehicles move around the workplace is a very important part of
controlling traffic. Relying on the behaviour of drivers to observe speed limits cannot be
relied on. The best way to restrict speed is to use physical features that mean drivers
can’t move too quickly. Speed humps, raised humps, chicanes should be considered.
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Speed limits must be clearly signed, appropriate to the nature of the site, and actively
monitored and enforced by management. They need to be appropriate for;
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The vehicles using the route;
The types of load and how they carry them;
The driving surface;
The layout of the route, including how tight bends are and visibility at junctions;
Hazards along the way; and
Work that takes place on or near the route.
The limit should be a safe speed, but if it is unreasonably slow, drivers will be tempted to
ignore it completely.
Signs, Signals and Markings
Signs are necessary to tell drivers and pedestrians about the routes they should use, and
also to instruct people how to behave safely.
These clear signs help arriving drivers know what to expect.
You should use route markings to show traffic lanes, route edges, priority at junctions, stop
lines, no-parking areas, pedestrian crossings and so on, and to instruct drivers (for
example, ‘SLOW’).
By law, road signs used to warn or give information to traffic in workplaces must be the
same as those used on public roads, wherever a suitable sign exists. Where sign posts
are used they should be constructed to Highway Code Standard. Drivers and pedestrians
should be able to expect that the layout, signs, road furniture and markings on site will be
similar to those on public roads.
These signs can be used to show no vehicles over the height or width shown can continue
You should use warning signs to show hazards along the way.
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A sign like this should be used to show that no vehicles over a certain maximum gross
weight shown can continue, and why.
You can use traffic lights to control the flow of traffic at busy junctions, at narrow places
and at site entrances. You can also use speed sensors and flashing warning signs to help
control the speed of traffic.
You should provide signposting so that drivers do not go the wrong way. This should help
prevent vehicles from moving around areas where pedestrians or other drivers might not
expect them.
You should place signs so that people have time to see and understand them, and take
any action to reduce risks before they reach the hazard.
All signs should:
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be clear and easy to understand;
stand out enough to be noticed; and
be kept clean and well maintained so that they are visible at all times.
If signs have to be visible in darkness, they will need to be reflective and, ideally,
illuminated. Sign lighting needs be kept clean and working.
You can find detailed information about reflective and lit road signs in BS 873-1: 1983
Road traffic signs and internally illuminated bollards.
When deciding on signage within the workplace reference should also be made to
Council’s Code of Practice – Safety Signs and Signals.
Protecting Vulnerable Structures
Fuel tanks or stores, CCTV columns or other vulnerable areas must be physically
protected if there is a risk of a collision.
When deciding how much protection is needed you need to
know how likely it is that a vehicle will hit a feature, how it
would hit (at what speed, from what angle, and how heavy it
might be) and what the consequences would be. Protective
barriers should be built to the standards set out in BS7669-3:
1994 Vehicle Restraint Systems
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Normal site features that might need protection include tanks, cylinders, buildings,
columns, masts, gantries and pipes.
Loading Areas
Wide loading areas should have two exit points, one at either end. All should have a
refuge to prevent people becoming trapped and struck by vehicles.
Designers should allow enough space around bays for vehicles to move safely into and
out of the bay and for people to move around the vehicle without being trapped. The
height of vehicle load platforms can vary quite a lot, even between when a vehicle is
empty, or loaded. Dock levellers (adjustable ramps that cover the height difference
between the vehicle and platform) should be specified where necessary.
Loading and unloading areas should be:
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Clear of other traffic, pedestrians or other dangerous obstruction
Level to maintain stability ,trailers should be parked on firm level ground
Fenced or provide with other edge protection where there is a danger of people
falling
If necessary, protected against bad weather, e.g. strong winds can be very
dangerous during loading
The edges of loading bays must be clearly marked and fenced to prevent people falling off
them. Temporary fencing should be incorporated into designs for exposed edges (the
loading area) when they are not in use.
Pedestrian segregation from area
Lighting
Every workplace must have suitable and sufficient lighting. All roads, manoeuvring areas
and yards should be adequately lit. Areas near junctions, buildings, plant, pedestrian
routes and areas where vehicles or mobile plant move regularly, all need particular
attention.
Where lights are placed is very important. Tall vehicles can block light, even when it
comes from windows or lamps that are placed high on posts, or on walls, ceilings or
canopies. Lights should be placed over the space between vehicle bays, rather than over
the centre of the bay where they will be blocked by a tall vehicle.
If drivers have to reverse towards strong lights you should make sure that the lights are not
placed or angled so that they dazzle the driver, either directly, or in their mirrors.
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SAFE DRIVER
Driver Training /Assessment
Managers and Supervisors should arrange for employee’s ability to be assessed before
they are allowed to drive. Training relevant to the type of vehicle must be offered where
appropriate.
Managers and Supervisors must ensure that employees have the skills to do their job
safely.
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Employees need to be trained ,preferably to recognised standards
Employee ability to drive safely needs to be assessed regularly
Refresher training should be given if it is considered appropriate
The level of supervision will depend on ability.
It is mandatory that employees or volunteers, who are employed to drive Council insured
vehicles undergo driver training which incorporates a practical assessment in order to
ensure that they are capable of driving the vehicle safely. A competent person must
undertake the training and assessment.
Driver training must be appropriate for the particular type of vehicle to be driven and must
include the following elements:
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Driving techniques
Vehicle/passenger safety
Vehicle checking procedure
Relevant legislation and risk assessment
Driving practice/assessment
Retraining/assessment must be conducted periodically, or where work activities change, or
where there is reason to believe the driver needs training/assessment.
Training is currently delivered by the Council’s driver assessor who is based within Risk
Management and Insurance Services. Your local risk assessment should say how often
assessment and refresher raining is carried out.
Training should always be thought about before any changes in the workplace are made.
Training may be needed because there are new vehicles or a change in how the work is
done.
Please refer to Council’s Code of Practice – Managing Occupational Road Risk for further
advice regarding driver training and assessment.
Fitness to Drive
All drivers of Council insured vehicles must undergo routine health screening which will
include eyesight and hearing test with the Occupational Health Service on a three yearly
basis, or undergo a comparable health screening with an outside agency, to the standard
laid down by the Occupational Health Service Guidelines on medical fitness for drivers. A
comparable medical must comprise of a full medical history and examination (height,
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weight, blood pressure, pulse and urine analysis) to include mobility, hearing test
(audiometry or equipment, vision testing (snellen and colour vision or keystone) and
consideration of neurological and system disorder.
Managers and Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that relevant Health Assessments
are established and appropriate fitness testing carried out, relevant to the type of driving
undertaken by employee group. Managers must ensure that an assessment is made of all
new employees before starting work to ensure that these standards are met initially.
Drivers who develop or have medical conditions which may affect their entitlement to drive
certain vehicles must inform their manager and be withdrawn from driving duties on full
pay until medical approval to resume driving is approved by the Occupational Health
Service.
Alcohol &Drugs
Drivers must not be under the influence of substances taken for recreation or therapeutic
reasons whilst they are at work,
Drivers must not drink alcohol during working hours or be over the legal limit (as
prescribed by the Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 5 (80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood)
due to the after effects of alcohol consumed prior to undertaking driving duties.
Drivers must be taken off driving duties when they are taking medication that may affect
their ability to drive safely, unless they have written evidence from their doctor or the
Occupational Health Service declaring that their ability to drive safely is not affected whilst
taking medication.
Further information can be found in the Council’s Health and Safety Code of PracticeManaging Occupational Road Risk.
Visiting and Agency Drivers/Operators
The responsibilities for Agency drivers are determined by who pays their wage and issues
their contract of employment. If this is the Agency, then the majority of health and safety
responsibilities fall to the Agency, including health and safety awareness training and
provision of personal protective equipment. Managers must liaise with the Agency and
inform them of any special, significant risks which drivers may encounter on site.
The Council still has a legal duty to make reasonable checks to ensure that visiting and
agency drivers are trained and qualified to do their jobs and to make sure that they are fit
to drive through assessment. They must also have a basic understanding of their
responsibilities under health and safety law and be able to understand the safety signs and
signals used on sites.
Managers and Supervisors should develop documented local arrangements with Agencies
that they use. This should include liaison with them to obtain evidence of qualifications
and training. You should also clarify arrangements for induction training and any specific
training that is needed to raise awareness of risks faced on particular Council sites. This
may include including Agency Drivers on specific health and safety training provided for
your employees.
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VEHICLE SELECTION & MAINTENANCE
Procurement
Managers must make sure that work equipment, including vehicles, is suitable for its
purpose. When choosing work equipment you must take account of the working conditions
and the risks to the health and safety of employees using the work equipment. You must
also take account of any further risk posed by the use of chosen work equipment, for
example, maintenance personnel.
When selecting new vehicles, managers should consider significant and foreseeable
health and safety risks that may arise from everyday use and maintenance, such as work
at height.
Procurement of refuse vehicles with low level hydraulic systems will avoid or significantly
reduce the need for maintenance personnel to work at height. Where this is not possible,
use of appropriate equipment for work at height and training for maintenance personnel
should be considered at procurement stage.
Maintenance
Each vehicle should come with a handbook giving Manufacturer’s Guidance on regular
maintenance. This could range from drivers carrying out start-up safety checks before
using the vehicle, to regular preventative maintenance based on time and mileage.
To help identify faults while the vehicle is being used, the driver will need instruction, or
training, on carrying out appropriate checks and reporting any problems. Managers may
find it helpful to give drivers a list of daily checks to sign off their vehicles.
The design of vehicles used on public roads has to meet specific legal standards, set out
in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations. The overall standard of vehicles
used in workplaces should be at least as good as for public roads. In some cases, there
are specific supply standards dealing with mobile plant in the workplace (for example,
some lift trucks).
Workplace vehicles should be stable under working conditions and provide a safe way to
get into and out of the cab, and any other parts of the vehicle that need to be accessed
regularly. Access features on vehicles, such as ladders, steps or walkways, should have
the same basic features as site-based access systems.
Planned maintenance should be thorough, regular and frequent enough to meet both the
manufacturer’s guidelines and common sense. Managers should arrange servicing and
maintenance through the Council’s Vehicle Workshops at South Hylton Depot
Wherever relevant, the following precautions should be taken when maintaining vehicles:
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brakes should be applied and, where necessary, wheels should be chocked;
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engines should always be started and run with brakes on and in neutral gear;
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raised parts should be suitably propped or supported;
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a way of restraining wheels, such as a tyre cage, should be used when inflating
tyres on split-rim wheels;
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tyres should be removed from wheels before welding, cutting or heating work
begins on a wheel or wheel rim fitted with a tyre, even if the tyre is deflated.
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beware of the risk of explosion when draining and repairing fuel tanks, and from
battery gases. Fuel tanks should never be drained or filled when the equipment is
hot or in a confined space, nor should they be drained over a pit;
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take care to avoid short-circuiting batteries. Batteries should be charged in wellventilated areas. Suitable personal protective equipment should be provided and
used for handling battery acid;
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measures should be taken to prevent maintenance staff from breathing asbestos
dust from brake and clutch lining pads;
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only people who have received the relevant information, instruction and training
should be allowed to carry out maintenance work.
Fitting further features to existing vehicles (‘retrofitting’) needs careful planning:
•
retrofitting must not significantly weaken the chassis or body structure;
•
in particular, you should not consider drilling holes in the chassis and welding to
it without the approval of the original manufacturer;
•
retrofitting should also take account of the structure of the vehicle. Sensitive
points such as fuel tanks will need to be avoided.
Visibility and warning devices
Drivers should be able to see clearly around their vehicle, to allow them to spot hazards
and avoid them.
It is important that vehicles are readily visible to people around them. As part of their risk
assessment, Managers should specify additional vehicle lights, reflectors, reversing lights
and possibly other warning devices (for example, rotating beacons or reversing alarms).
Painting and markings can also help to make the vehicle stand out.
Vehicles should have large enough windscreens (with wipers where necessary) and
external mirrors to provide adequate all-round visibility. Road-going vehicles are fitted with
conventional side mirrors, and it is often worthwhile adding extra mirrors to reduce blind
spots for drivers.
Side mirrors angled to allow drivers of larger vehicles to see cyclists and pedestrians
alongside their vehicles are also available, and can be effective in improving visibility
around the vehicle from the driving position. These mirrors are fitted to larger road-going
vehicles as standard. Managers and supervisors should ask employees for their views.
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Items should not be placed in the windscreen area or in the way of mirrors or monitors,
where they might get in the way of visibility from the driving position. A good guide can be
that the area of the windscreen that is kept clear by the wipers should not be obscured,
and nor should the side windows. Windows and mirrors will also normally need to be kept
clean and in good repair. Dirt or cracks can make windows or mirrors less effective.
Vehicles should have seats and seat belts (or other restraints where necessary) that are
safe and comfortable. There must be one seat for each person carried. People must
never be carried in a vehicle which does not specifically have a seat.
CCTV
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) can cover most blind spots and is appropriate for some
vehicles (e.g. refuse collection) where the driver can’t see clearly behind or around the
vehicle. Both black-and-white and colour systems are available. Colour systems can
provide a clearer image where there is little contrast (for example, outside on an overcast
day). However, black-and-white systems normally provide a better image in lower light or
darkness, and usually come with infrared systems, which can be more effective than
standard cameras during the hours of darkness. Monitor images should be adjustable to
make them useful in the different light conditions in which they are likely to be used. It may
be necessary to shield screens from glare by using a hood. The most effective position for
the CCTV camera is high in the middle of the vehicle’s rear where one camera is being
used, or in the upper corners where two cameras are used.
However, CCTV systems do have some limitations:
•
if vehicles are leaving a darker area to a more strongly lit area (for example, driving
out of a building), the change in the level of brightness can mean that CCTV
systems do not work for a moment as they adjust;
•
a dirty lens will make a camera much less effective;
•
it can be difficult for drivers to judge heights and distances on CCTV monitors.
It is important that using CCTV systems does not lead to drivers being complacent about
safety. Managers should ensure that all drivers know how to use the equipment properly,
and should be trained in using CCTV systems.
Reversing alarms should be fitted to all commercial and site based vehicles and should be
loud and distinct enough to make sure that they do not become part of the background
noise. They are not always useful as they may be drowned out by other noise, or may be
so common on a busy site that pedestrians do not take any notice. It can also be hard to
know exactly where an alarm is coming from. Reversing alarms may be appropriate, but
might be most effective used with further measures to reduce reversing risks, such as
warning lights.
Guarding
Appropriate guards must be fitted to dangerous parts of the vehicle (for example, power
take-offs, chain drives, exposed hot exhaust pipes). Advice should be sought from the
Manufacturer or supplier as necessary.
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Vehicles should be suitable for any loads carried on them. When selecting vehicles,
managers should consider;
•
•
•
•
The nature of the loads
How loads are to be put on to and taken off the vehicle
Risks arising from this, such as manual handling
Where necessary, how employees will access the load areas safely
Roll over protection
Where appropriate, vehicles should have driver protection to prevent injury if the vehicle
overturns, and to prevent the driver from being hit by falling objects. This could include roll
protection, operator restraints and falling object protection. ROPS on some kinds of
vehicles can reduce the risk of injury if it overturns, but are not fully effective unless the
driver is also wearing an appropriate restraint.
Lift trucks and ‘thorough examination
By law, lifting equipment must be ‘thoroughly examined’ at appropriate intervals to make
sure it is safe to use. This includes the lifting gear on lift trucks.
The intervals between thorough examinations should be either:
•
in line with an examination scheme drawn up by a ‘competent person’ who must
be independent from line managers. The competent person can be in-house or
from an outside organisation such as an insurance company; or
•
at least every 12 months, unless the truck operates for more than 40 hours a
week, is used to lift people, or has a side shift or attachments fitted. By law,
these must be thoroughly examined at least every six months.
‘Competent person’ means a person chosen by the employer to carry out thorough
examinations based on his or her level of knowledge of the equipment, problems and their
causes, methods of testing and diagnosing faults. A national scheme of accredited,
quality-assured examiners is run by Consolidated Fork Truck Services, and
endorsed by the HSE.
Privately owned vehicles
Managers, foremen and site operators do not usually have much control over the condition
of private vehicles (such as employees’ cars) brought into the workplace. However, private
vehicles can be regulated by:
•
restricting the type of vehicle allowed onto the site;
•
restricting their routes;
•
providing clearly signposted parking areas wherever possible, away from main
routes and dangerous areas;
•
enforcing speed limits; and
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•
making sure visiting drivers report to the site office.
You should make it clear to everyone that driving in the workplace calls for the same
standard of care as on public roads, and often needs even more skill and care.
Falls from Vehicles.
Falling from vehicles is a significant cause of workplace transport injuries. Employers have
a legal duty to prevent falls. As with all work at height, there are basic steps that should be
taken to reduce the chances of people falling and being injured:
•
•
•
If you can avoid the need for work at height then do so.
When you can’t avoid working at height you must take steps to prevent falls
If there are any remaining risks of falls you should take steps to minimise them.
If Managers and Supervisors consider the checklist detailed below it will assist reducing
falls from vehicles.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Always use all equipment provided to avoid work at height. If work at height is
unavoidable then use fall arrest system if possible especially when roping and
sheeting
Don’t jump from the lorry or load
Report damaged, loose or inadequate steps and hand holds – ensure the steps are
safe to use
Report damaged or broken sheeting devices
Report slippery surfaces, for example those that are oily or greasy
Avoid tripping hazards
Wear suitable footwear for the job
Ensure steps and work areas are well lit
Use edge protection on tail lifts
Do not walk backwards near the rear or side of the vehicle bed
Communication
Good communication is essential for maintaining a safe workplace and helps to ensure
that safety information can be spread through the organisation and be put into use as
effectively as possible. Managers should listen to the safety concerns of their employees
and take appropriate actions.
Further Information and Advice
Is available from the Corporate Health and Safety Team, Corporate Personnel Services,
telephone number 0191 5531735.
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Appendix 1
WORKPLACE TRANSPORT - MANAGERS HAZARD CHECKLIST
Large goods vehicles (including articulated and draw bar combination vehicles)
□ transporting raw materials
□ transporting other manufacturing materials
□ transporting machined or finished products
□ delivering of business supplies (stationary, couriers, canteen)
□ moving products or stock between buildings
□ waste removal
Light goods vehicles
□ transporting raw materials
□ transporting other manufacturing materials
□ transporting machined or finished products
□ deliveries of business supplies (stationary, couriers, canteen)
□ cash collection or delivery
□ moving products or stock between buildings
□ waste removal
□ contractors and others (maintenance, cleaners, building work)
Motorised or other handling equipment
□ movement of raw materials around the site
□ movement of components, supplies, stock etc. around the site
□ movement of waste materials around the site
Cars
□ entering or leaving the premises. Consider employees, clients, other visitors, taxis
□ touring security vehicles
Vehicles carrying passengers
□ consider coaches and minibuses
Motor Cycles and Cycles
□ entering and leaving the premises
□ around storage areas
□ couriers
Other work machinery and plant including contractors vehicles
□ tractors
□ all-terrain vehicles
□ backhoes and other earth-moving machinery
□ dumpers
□ mobile cranes in transit (although lifting operations should not be thought of as WP Trsp
Pedestrians
□ entering or leaving the premises
□ moving from building to building, or from one work area to another
□ moving within storage areas
□ moving across vehicle traffic routes
□ moving through vehicle manoeuvring areas
□ moving from vehicles to buildings, or back (e.g. drivers reporting to site office)
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Appendix 2
Workplace Transport – Site Inspection Checklist
The following checklist is intended as a guide to indicate the areas that employers should
look at when doing a risk assessment. The checklist will not necessarily be comprehensive
or relevant for all work situations.
1. Management and supervision of workplace transport
Check, in consultation with your employees, that your level of management
control/supervision is adequate.
Check in consultation with your employees, that your level of
management control/supervision is adequate
Are site rules documented and distributed
Yes
No
Are your supervisors, drivers and others, including contractors and visiting
drivers aware of site rules. Are they aware of their responsibilities in terms
of helping to maintain a safe workplace and environment.
Has a risk assessment been completed for all workplace hazards
Is the level of supervision sufficient to ensure that safe standards are
maintained
Are sanctions applied when employees, contractors, etc fail to maintain
these standards
Are adequate steps taken to detect unsafe behaviour of drivers of both site
and visiting vehicles as well as pedestrians. Are the underlying reasons
investigated to correct safe behaviours
Is there good co-cooperation and liaison on health and safety matters
between your staff and those who collect or deliver goods
Check what your drivers and other employees actually do when
undertaking their work activities
Do drivers drive with care, e.g. use the correct routes, drive within speed
limit and follow any other safety rules
Do your drivers and other employees have enough time to complete their
work without rushing or working excessive hours.
Do you monitor job and finish work to ensure drivers are not rushing to cut
corners
Are employees using safe work practices, e.g. when un(coupling),
un(loading),securing loads, carrying out maintenance
Do managers and supervisors routinely challenge and investigate unsafe
behaviours they may come across
Do managers and supervisors set a good example, for instance by obeying
vehicle/pedestrian segregation instructions, and by wearing high visibility
garments where these are needed
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2. Site layout and internal traffic routes
Check that the layout of routes is appropriate
Are the roads and footways suitable for the types and volume s of vehicular
traffic and pedestrian traffic using them
Are vehicles and pedestrians kept safely apart
Where necessary are there suitable pedestrian crossing places on vehicle
routes
Is there a safe pedestrian route that allows visiting drivers to report for
instruction before entering the site
Are there adequate numbers of suitable parking places for all vehicles and
are they used
Is there a properly designed and signed one-way system used on vehicle
routes within the workplace
Is the level of lighting in each area sufficient for the pedestrian and vehicle
activity
Check that vehicle traffic routes are suitable for the type and quantity
of vehicles which use them
Are they wide enough
Do they have firm and even surfaces
Are they free from obstructions and hazards
Are they well maintained
Do vehicle routes avoid sharp bends
Check that suitable safety features are provided where appropriate
Are roadways marked where necessary, e.g. to indicate the right of way at
road junctions
Are road signs, as used in the Highway Code, installed where necessary
Are features such as fixed mirrors (to provide greater vision at blind bends)
road humps (to reduce vehicle speeds), or barriers (to keep vehicles and
pedestrians apart) provided where necessary.
3. Vehicle selection and suitability
Check that vehicles are safe and suitable for the work for which they
are being used
Have suitable vehicles and attachments been selected for the tasks which
are actually undertaken
Do vehicles have good direct visibility or devices for improving vision where
reversing can’t be eliminated and where significant risk still remains e.g.
external and side mirrors, vision aids such as CCTV, sensing device
Are they provided with horns, lights, reflectors, reversing lights and other
safety features as necessary
Do they have effective service and parking brakes
Do they have seats and seatbelts where necessary
Are there guards to prevent access to dangerous parts of the vehicle ,e.g.
power take-offs.chain drives, exposed exhaust pipes
Do drivers have protection against bad weather conditions, or against an
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unpleasant working environment, i.e. the cold,dirt,fumesand excessive
noise and vibration
Is there a safe means of access and egress to and from the cabs and other
parts that need to be reached
Are surfaces where people walk on vehicles slip resistant
Is driver protection against injury in the event of an overturn and measures
in place to prevent the driver being hit by falling objects, provided where
necessary
Are operators involved or consulted on vehicle selection
4. Vehicle maintenance
Check the level of vehicle maintenance is adequate
Is there a regular preventative maintenance programme for every vehicle,
carried out at predetermined intervals of time or mileage
Is there a system for reporting faults on the vehicle and associated
equipment and carrying out remedial work
Where vehicle attachments lift people or objects are thorough
examinations undertaken by a competent person
Do Drivers carry out basic safety checks before using the vehicle
5. Vehicle movement
Check that the need for REVERSING is kept to a minimum, and where
reversing is necessary that it is undertaken safely and in safe areas
Have drive-through, one-way systems been used, wherever possible to
reduce the need for reversing
Where reversing areas are needed they marked to be clear to both drivers
and pedestrians
Are non-essential personnel excluded from areas where reversing occurs
If risk assessment shows site controls cannot be improved further and you
need a banksman to direct reversing vehicles, are they adequately trained
and visible
6. Un(loading) Activities
Check that there are safe systems for Loading and unloading
operations
Are loading/unloading operations carried out in an area away from passing
traffic, pedestrians and others not involved in the loading/unloading
operation
Are the load(s), the deliver vehicle(s) and the handling vehicle(s)
compatible with each other.
Are the loading/unloading activities carried out on ground that is flat, firm
and free from potholes
Are parking brakes always used on trailers and tractive units to prevent
unwanted movement, e.g. when coupling vehicles
Are the vehicles braked and or stabilised as appropriate, to prevent unsafe
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movements during loading and unloading operations
Are systems in place to prevent trucks driving away while they are still
being un(loaded)
Are lorry drivers and others kept in a safe place away from the vehicle
while un(loading) is being carried out
Is there a safe area marked where drivers can observe (loading) if
necessary
Has the need for people to go on to the load area of the vehicle been
eliminated where possible and if not is safe access provided and used
Is appropriate lifting equipment available for un(loading)vehicles
Is loading/unloading carried out so that, as far as possible the load is
spread evenly to avoid the vehicle or trailer becoming unstable
Are checks made to ensure the load is adequately secured in line with the
Department for Transport Code of Practice and not loaded beyond their
capacity before the vehicle leaves the site
7. Driver competence
Check that you selection and training procedure ensure that your
drivers and other employees are capable of performing their work
activities safely and responsibly
Do drivers possess the necessary licences or certificates for the vehicles
they are authorised to drive e.g. FLT
Do you check the previous experience of your drivers and assess them to
ensure they are competent
Do you provide site specific training on how to perform the job, and
information about particular hazards, speed limits, the appropriate parking
and loading areas
Do you have a planned programme of refresher training for drivers and
others to ensure their continued competence
Do your drivers undergo a medical assessment prior to commencement of
their employment and is this repeated on a three yearly basis
Name:
Position:
Signature:
Date:
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