Workplace Transport Safety

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
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
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
 Should be at least one exit from lower
level
 Safe refuges to prevent crushing
 Edges of bays clearly marked
 Edges may need edge protection
 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
 Safe access/egress
 Service & parking brakes
 Windscreens wipers
 External mirrors to
provide visibility –CCTV
may be necessary
 Horn
 Protection to prevent
injury in event of
overturn, and to protect
driver from falling objects
 Lights, reflectors,
reversing lights and
possibly other warning
devices
 Suitable paintings and
markings
 Guards on dangerous
parts
 Seats and seat belts
 Protection from adverse
weather
 Protection from
inhospitable
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 17 years old normally
 HGV over 21 years old
 Mature & reliable attitude
 Not under influence of drugs/alcohol
 Ensure visiting drivers are competent
Driver Training
 RA’s should determine level of training
required
 Provide suitable training/certification as
required
 Stress hazards, risks & safe system
 Refresher training as necessary
 Keep training records
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
 Carry out away from traffic and strong
winds or bad weather
Sheeting & Unsheeting
Example of
mechanically
operated sheeting
system