Vehicles at work continue to be a major cause of fatal and major injuries. Every year there are over 5000 incidents involving transport in the workplace. Estimates suggest that up to one-third of all road traffic accidents involve someone who is at work at the time.
What to do first?
To manage the risks from workplace transport effectively, you need to consider three key areas:
Safe site:
By law:
· Every workplace must be safe for the people and vehicles using it;
· Workplace traffic routes must be suitable for the people and vehicles using them;
· Where vehicles and pedestrians share a traffic route, there must be enough separation between them.
Safe vehicle:
Employers and duty holders must make sure that vehicles used in the workplace are:
· Safe;
· Right for the job;
· Driven safely;
· Accessed safely; and
· Regularly maintained, repaired and inspected.
Safe driver:
Employers should make sure that all workers are fit and competent to operate all the vehicles, machines and attachments they use at work, in all the environments in which they use them.
Vehicles should have large enough windscreens (with wipers where necessary) and external mirrors to provide an all-round field of vision. Drivers should not place objects where they will impede this vision.
Where possible, the need for reversing should be eliminated.
As well as conventional side mirrors, it is often worthwhile adding extra mirrors to reduce blind spots for drivers. Side mirrors can allow drivers of larger vehicles to see cyclists and pedestrians alongside their vehicles and can be effective in improving visibility around the vehicle from the driving position.
For advice on Transport Safety in the Workplace contact us on 0800 0836458 or at info@standerwicksafety.co.uk