Workplace Transport

Any UK employer with workplace transport needs to assess site, vehicle and driver safety.

The recent fine for FedEX of £533k following a worker being seriously injured after being hit by a reversing forklift truck again highlights the importance of workplace transport safety. The UK investigating authority, the Health and Safety Executive, identified a lack of effective separation between forklift trucks and pedestrians in an area of frequent forklift vehicle movements.

Personnel in control of work should introduce control measures focussed around safe site (design and activity); safe vehicle and safe driver. The main aim of site design should be the segregation of pedestrians. Consider activities such as reversing operations, coupling and uncoupling, loading and unloading, tipping and sheeting within the risk assessment.

Regarding vehicles, identify and choose the most appropriate vehicles for the tasks and environment and the people who will use them, as well as ensuring the vehicles are maintained. Drivers should be competent to use the vehicles and receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision.

Identify the controls you need to put in place around the use of workplace transport by carrying out a workplace transport risk assessment. Ask for professional assistance, if you do not have the competence in-house to complete the workplace transport risk assessment including safe site design.

For more information on workplace transport at your UK locations, post your questions to [email protected]