People die in the workplace every year from something as simple as not wearing a seatbelt. Make sure you train your drivers properly, and give them the tools they need to drive safely to protect both themselves and others.
- Undertake suitable and sufficient risk assessments which consider how people could get hurt. Think about how people could get run over or struck by vehicles, how people could fall out of them, how vehicles could overturn and how items could fall out of vehicles onto people.
- Ensure drivers are fully trained and competent to use the vehicles they will be operating. There should be direct supervision of vehicle movements – if you spot problems, consider refresher training for individuals.
- Make sure all drivers wear the seatbelts fitted in their vehicles. Use an interlocking system whereby the vehicle only starts when the seatbelt is engaged. Monitor drivers to ensure the system is not defeated. (If driving a forklift truck, wear the seatbelt if driving the vehicle for long periods of time or if there are surface changes – pot holes for etc..
- Look regularly at your accident and near miss data. Consider what changes need to be made to prevent an accident in the future. Adapt your risk assessment to reflect these changes.
- Take steps to segregate people from vehicles, and larger vehicles from smaller ones. Use fixed barriers and pedestrian walkways.
- Develop a comprehensive workplace traffic management plan. Consider the maximum speeds allowed, the permitted routes for different vehicles, and all vehicle-related activities that are permitted in certain areas – including contractors that may operate on site (such as waste collectors).
Contact us should you require assistance.
