According to the HSE, workplace transport accidents in the UK account for over 5,000 injuries and approximately 50 fatalities annually. The accidents and incidents that occur commonly involve pedestrians being struck, vehicles overturning, falls from vehicles and falling loads. To try and prevent this, the HSE published clear guidance on workplace transport safety in 2014. HSG136 aims to reduce deaths, injuries and damage caused by workplace transport activities by establishing effective controls for workplaces, drivers and vehicles.
The HSE guidance document is split into three key sections – safe site, safe driver and safe vehicle:
Safe site – the workplace should be designed and well managed to minimise interactions between pedestrians and vehicles. Are you providing a safe workplace?
Safe driver – drivers and vehicle operators must be competent and capable of carrying out their duties safely. How do you know that your drivers are competent?
Safe vehicle – vehicles must be suitable for the task and maintained in a safe condition. Are you confident that your vehicles are safe or those that are not under your direct control are in good condition and fitted with appropriate controls?
Sounds simple enough – so why are we still seeing so many workplace injuries and prosecutions relating to workplace transport safety?
A recent prosecution saw a landscaping and civil engineering company being fined after an employee was seriously injured by a reversing flat-bed truck, as the company did not have adequate measures in place to separate pedestrians and vehicles. The company was fined £125,000 as they were found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, after the employee was left with life changing injuries (Source: HSE). This highlights the importance from a legal, financial and moral perspective of implementing simple controls such as segregation which would be identified through the process of workplace transport risk assessments.
HSG136 promotes a systematic approach to workplace transport safety through the five steps of risk assessment:
- Identifying workplace transport hazards.
- Assessing who may be harmed and how.
- Implementing suitable control measures.
- Monitoring effectiveness.
- Reviewing arrangements following significant changes or incidents.
A workplace transport risk assessment is an essential management tool for assessing the risk associated with these high-risk areas, as well as a legal requirement. Workplace transport risk assessments will help you to demonstrate commitment to a safe workplace, as well as identifying any training needs and additional control measures to ensure the risk is suitably managed.