There are over five thousand incidents involving transport in the workplace each year. According to the HSE about fifty of these accidents end in the death of an contractor, employee or member of the public. The biggest causes of injury are employees falling off vehicles, or being crushed and struck by them.
Employers have a legal responsibility for the safety of their contractors, employees and members of the public aren’t put in danger because of the job they do. Employees and the self-employed also have a responsibility to care for their own health and safety and that of anyone affected by their work.
Transport in the workplace
Transport in the workplace is any undertaking involving vehicles used in a workplace. Vehicles driven on public roads are not included, except where the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded on a public highway adjacent to a workplace.
See our video on how you and your business can remain safe whilst at work. The video was made by the HSE, who is not only a completely independent regulator of safety and health in the UK, but also provides advice and support to business on how they are able to ensure the safety of their staff at work.
How can you help prevent accidents at work?
Driver visibility really should be sufficient for drivers to see hazards, and employees to see vehicles. Adequate visibility for drivers is related to vehicle speed and the length needed to stop or change direction safely. Think about having mirrors on site here sharp or blind bends can not be avoided.
Signs for workers and drivers in a place of work should be the similar to those as seen in the Highway Code, wherever an acceptable sign exists. They must be well placed and clean. Where driving may be carried out in the at night, illuminated or reflective signs must be used.
Bright road markings should be used to regulate traffic movement, and yellow markings needs to be used for parking. Wherever possible, such road markings should be reflective and taken care of frequently.
Around a quarter of all deaths involving vehicles at the workplace take place because of reversing. It also ends in substantial damage to property, equipment and vehicles.
The simplest way of lowering reversing incidents is to remove the need to reverse by, for example, using one-way systems. Where this is not possible, sites should be organised so that reversing is kept to a minimum.
Parking areas need to be clearly indicated and there should be standalone parking areas for commercial and private vehicles. There also should be designated areas where commercial vehicles can be loaded and unloaded..
When vehicles are left, parking brakes should be used. On most trailers disconnecting the emergency air line will not apply the trailer parking brake. Drivers should never leave a vehicle alone without making sure both the vehicle and the trailer are securely braked, the engine is off and the key to has been removed. Wherever appropriate, trailer legs need to be lowered to the ground.
Most importantly drivers should be capable of operate a vehicle safely and obtain appropriate information, instruction and training for the vehicle they use. It is particularly important that younger or less experienced drivers are closely monitored right after their training to ensure they operate the vehicle safely.
If you’ve been involved in an accident or have been hurt in a transport accident at work, then speak to someone on our compensation team and they’ll let you know if you have a claim for compensation. Complete our online claim form or ask for a call back using our free solicitor call back service.