Fatalities highlight workplace transport risks

The most recent incident occurred only last Friday (13 January) in Medway, Kent during the loading of a heavy goods vehicle. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) subsequently urged all employers involved in the transport and handling of heavy goods to assess the associated risks.

The HSE said that it and Kent Police were continuing to investigate the circumstances of what was described as an "unfortunate fatal accident".

Local safety inspector Mike Walters said: "Nationally 70 people are killed in workplace transport related accidents each year. On top of this figure over 200 people suffer serious injuries.

"Simple and effective controls can be put in place to minimise the risks associated with transport in the workplace. It is essential that employers assess the risks properly and implement suitable control measures to reduce the number of fatal and serious accidents involving vehicles in the workplace."

Visiting drivers

News of the incident emerged as a new workplace transport safety campaign was launched in the north west of England and Midlands regions.

According to the HSE, ten people were killed in the West Midlands area alone last year as a result of workplace transport incidents.

In addition to the fatalities, incidents involving vehicles at workplaces accounted for 205 serious injuries. The HSE said that drivers visiting sites were "particularly vulnerable" because they spent much of their time on sites they were not familiar with.

Nick Ratty, HSE head of operation for the West Midlands said: "We really want to get across to drivers and site managers that it does not take a lot of effort to make drivers' jobs easier and help cut accidents.

"Just £100 could save a life. That's how much it costs to buy a couple of tins of fluorescent paint to yellow-line your parking area, put up an outside light or buy hi-viz jackets to help your staff be seen by drivers."

The HSE recommended that employers and site owners ensured that pedestrians were completely segregated from areas where loading and unloading of lorries is being undertaken.

Control measures

In addition, drivers of lorries being loaded should be kept away from loading operations to prevent them from being struck by vehicles such as forklift trucks.

Only trained and competent operators should be employed to load or unload vehicles with forklift trucks or other similar lifting equipment and loads should be properly secured to forklift trucks or other similar lifting equipment before they are moved. Also, any reversing of vehicles in a loading area should be kept to a minimum, it said.

Mr Ratty added that good lighting in all areas and keeping delivery areas tidy were also effective control measures.

The HSE's workplace transport campaign will run for three weeks with adverts on independent local radio stations. More information on the campaign can be found on the HSE's website - see link above/right. The safety watchdog has also updated its workplace transport advice pages on the site.

The term 'workplace transport' is used by the HSE to describe any vehicle that is used in a work setting, but specifically excludes transport on public roads, air, rail or water.