Element 2

Transport Hazards and Risk

Control

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

2.1 SAFE MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES IN THE WORKPLACE�������������������������������������������������� 45

1. Meaning and Scope of Workplace Transport ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45

2. Vehicle Movement Hazards��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������46
3. Vehicle Non-Movement Hazards�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������47
4. Pre-Use Checklist and Parking Requirements����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������49
5. Control Measures�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������50
6. Management Systems for Assuring Driver Competence�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������53

2.2 DRIVING AT WORK�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 54

1. Managing Work Related Road Safety ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������54
2. Managing Work Related Road Safety ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55
3. Evaluating the Risks�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55
4. The Vehicle���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56
5. The Journey��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57
6. Control Measures�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59

SUMMARY������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 61

REFERENCES������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 61

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 2.1 SAFE MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES IN THE
WORKPLACE

1. Meaning and Scope of Workplace Transport

‘Workplace transport’ implies any automobile or piece of mobile equipment that is utilised by businesses or people in
any work setting (apart from travelling on public roadways).

Source: Best Practice Hub

It covers a vast range of vehicles, from cars and trucks, vans, lorries and lifts trucks, to less common cars and plants such
as straddle providers, rubber-tyred gantries and self-propelled machinery.

The word ‘vehicle’ refers to various automobiles found at the office, including mobile devices.

Cars proceeding public roadways are not generally classified as ‘workplace transport’, although they may bring
individuals who are working, such as haulage chauffeurs. This is since road traffic laws cover transportation risks on
public roads in more detail than general health and safety law.

Public roads are frequently used as short-lived work environments:

• During road-works or roadside deliveries;

• For breakdown assistance; or
• For other roadside work.

Workplace transport causes fatalities and other types of accidents. The majority of these accidents involve:

• People/Vehicle Collision
• Collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects
• Falling from vehicles
• Being struck by insecure loads

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 UNIT GC2: CONTROLLING WORKPLACE HAZARDS

• Vehicles overturning
• Associated activities, battery charging, etc.

Management needs to consider the safe movement of vehicles and their loads as part of their overall safety policy. This
includes the use of transport, lift trucks, and trolleys (both pedestrian and motor operated).

Whenever the safety of pedestrians from the hazards of vehicles is considered, the golden rule is: Wherever possible
keep vehicles and pedestrians apart.

Hazards and factors affecting level of risk from workplace transport operations

Vehicles hazards fall into two categories:

1. Vehicle movement hazards

2. Non-vehicle movement hazards

2. Vehicle Movement Hazards

Vehicle movement risks include:

• Loss of control
• Overturning of vehicles
• Colliding with fixed structures, other moving vehicles and pedestrians

Loss of Control

Causes of loss of control may include driver condition, mechanical failure and environmental conditions.

• Driver competence – Driver may not be trained on the particular type of vehicle, affected by drugs and
alcohol, fatigue, physical and physiological issues
• Mechanical failure – brake and steering mechanism failure preventing the driver from controlling the vehicle
• Environmental conditions – Adverse weather conditions such as snow, ice and water, fog causing the vehicle
to skid out of control. Lighting issues such as headlights are suddenly blinding the driver.

Overturning of vehicles

Overturning vehicles cause nearly a fifth of all deaths in workplace transport accidents. Fork-lift trucks, compact
dumpers, tipper lorry and tractors are all especially at risk of overturning.

There are many reasons why vehicles overturn, including:

• Travelling on gradients that are too steep

• Fork-lift trucks moving forwards when descending slopes
• Being overloaded, unevenly loaded or carrying unstable
loads
• Moving on soft or uneven ground or falling into excavations
• Moving over slippery services, e.g. Oil or grease patches
• Moving too fast, especially around corners
• Moving over kerbs, steps or other edges
• Poor maintenance, e.g. Of tires and brakes
• Poor driving / driver training
• Vehicle used is not compatible with the task
• Handling/carrying and moving with raised loads, e.g. a fully
raised fork-lift truck load. Source: Pinterest

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To prevent vehicles overturning the precautions should ensure:

• Suitable routes should be planned out, avoiding steep slopes, uneven or slippery surfaces, kerbs and acute turns
• The speed of the vehicle must match with the task requirement. load and ground conditions and if speed limits
set must be enforced
• Vehicles should never be overloaded, i.e. Operate must within safe working load (SWL)
• Loads should be evenly distributed on the vehicle and be secure
• Loads should be carried in a lowered position wherever possible
• Loads should only be carried by suitable vehicles
• Stop blocks to prevent compact dumpers falling into excavations
• Safe systems for vehicle movement such as reversing
• Regular preventative maintenance
• Drivers to be given training and be familiar with vehicles, work location and roadways

Collision with Other Vehicles or Fixed Objects

Vehicles colliding with other vehicles or other obstructions

cannot just affect the driver but pedestrians can also be
affected as a vehicle colliding with another may bounce off
into pedestrian areas.

When considering the use of vehicles such as fork trucks,

there are some hazards particularly relevant to drivers such
as:

• Fumes (diesel/petrol)
• Fire and explosion
• Collisions with buildings
• Manual handling
• Falling objects
• Noise Source: The Nation
• Vibration
• Ergonomics

3. Vehicle Non-Movement Hazards

Loading and Unloading

Many accidents occur during loading and unloading, but

they may be reduced by:

Having well-designed areas and safe systems of work

• Adequate space to allow access to all parts of the

vehicle necessary for loading or unloading, and
for the stacking and temporary storage of goods.
• The time that goods are left before loading or
removal should be minimised.
• Empty pallets & other material should not be
allowed to accumulate in an unplanned way.
• There should always be sufficient clearance
overhead, and particular care should be taken
when vehicle bodies are raised.
Source: VRL Shifting Packers and Movers

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Loading procedures should ensure that:

• Vehicles are not loaded beyond rated capacities.

• The floor of the vehicle is checked for soundness before loading.
• Loads are evenly distributed and secured or arranged so that they do not move in transit.
• Tail and side boards are closed.
• Overhangs are kept to a minimum and suitably marked.
• Slippery surfaces are avoided/eliminated(on the vehicle or load itself)

The following precautions should be taken when unloading:

• The load should be checked for stability before ropes or tarpaulins are removed.
• The load should remain stable and evenly distributed so far as practicable during unloading.

Sheeting

Falls from elevated areas of vehicles during loading, unloading, sheeting and checking operations often occur when
people have to gain access to the tops of vehicles. The risk of injury may be reduced by the provision of safe means of
access to and from the vehicle, instructions to staff and the use of mechanical aids where appropriate. For example, to
prevent people who are sheeting a vehicle having to climb onto the vehicle itself, sheeting sheds can be used, where
sheets are rolled on to a roller which is raised horizontally on a gantry above the vehicle, one end of the sheet is then
secured to the front end and then drives forward, pulling the sheet from the roller and spreading it over the load. The
tail end of the sheet is then secured by hand at ground level.

Coupling

Failure to follow safe coupling procedures often lead to vehicle runaway or trailer rollaway situations resulting in
damages to vehicle and property and injuries to people.

Drivers need to be trained in the safe system of work, ensuring that the location is level and company enough to support
both the trailer landing legs.

Vehicle Maintenance Work

Source: Joe’s Service Department

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Vehicle maintenance work is intricate and involves troubleshooting, modifications, repair works, tests automobiles,
alternate fuel, diesel, gasoline engines, fuel, exhaust, electrical systems, clutches, torque converters, transmissions,
transfer cases, power takeoffs, drive lines, axles, frames, steering, suspension, giving, brake, air, and hydraulic systems,
tracks, winches, emission control, air-conditioning, and heating systems, active/passive restraint systems and other
installed or unique devices.

Maintenance work also involves welding, cutting, grinding, repairing, and installing vehicle glass and vehicle parts and
accessories.

Maintenance workers are severely injured each year while working on their cars using vehicle jacks, stands, and/or
ramps.

Worksite environment

Maintenance might be brought out in typical road transport circumstances, including ­

In tight or confined spaces, exposed conditions and controlled or open environments

• While in a garage, depot, or warehouse

• While in the vehicle on the road

Kind of vehicle might include any business road transport lorry consisting of ­

• Light vehicle
• Heavy vehicle

Hazards associated with vehicle maintenance work include:

• Contact with used engine oil during servicing - contact over an extended period can lead to severe dermatitis
and skin cancer.
• Idle running of car inside, releasing toxic exhaust fumes like carbon monoxide.
• Fire: Petrol and LPG fires
• Shocks or burns from electricity due to faulty electrical equipment or on installation.
• Electrical faults that lead to fires
• Coming into contact with unguarded moving parts of the vehicles
• Workers can get cut on sharp edges or scald themselves on hot parts.
• Crush injuries by the failure of raised car jacks
• Workers risk injuries or back pain or pain elsewhere from handling heavy and/or bulky objects.
• Workers may be injured if they trip over objects or slip on spillages, e.g., oil or water
• Burn injuries due to the corrosive battery contact, especially when an overcharge and explosion occurs.

4. Pre-Use Checklist and Parking Requirements

Many organisations will require drivers to inspect their fork trucks every day prior to use, and the checklist should
include:

• Condition and pressure of tires

• Performance of lights, horns, brakes
• Caution devices working
• Appropriate mirrors
• Engine for oil leaks
• Water leakages
• Seat safely repaired and suitable restraints where fitted
• Indications of damage to bodywork and lifting systems
• Equipment and ancillaries are fitted securely, like LPG tank.

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PARKING OF FORK-LIFT TRUCKS

The precautions when parking fork-lift trucks should include:

• Designated parking area not obstructing walkways or fire exits/fire points

• Applying brakes placing controls in neutral position and engine switched off
• Mast tilted slightly forward with forks resting on floor
• Removing key and returning to responsible person

So, in summary, the main hazards associated with lift truck operations are:

• Overturning
• Overloading
• Loss of load
• Collision with people and objects
• Machine failure
• Falling from loading bays
• Explosions and fire – Fuel leaks/battery charging/electrical arcing
• Exhaust fume emission
• Passengers
• Inappropriate parking – Blocking entrances/exits
• Manual Handling – Adjusting forks/changing batteries
• Vibration – Travelling over uneven ground
• Noise
• Silent running

To ensure the safety of Fork Trucks, it is suggested that they are inspected:

• Before its first use

• Daily by the driver Source: Safety Signs
• At 12 monthly intervals (Or 6 months if lifting persons) by a competent
person
• Complying with examination schedule in national legislation
• Following any circumstances that may endanger the safety of the truck

5. Control Measures
FOR SAFE WORKPLACE TRANSPORT OPERATIONS

When organising traffic routes firstly there should be precautions in place to protect pedestrians such as:

• Keep pedestrians and vehicles apart by using separate routes, designated crossing locations and suitable barriers
at known danger spots.
• Maintaining excellent vision (mirrors, transparent doors, the arrangement of lighting, etc.).
• Audible warnings on automobiles. ­
• Clearly marked and signed traffic routes.
• The floor surface should be in good condition
• Good standard of housekeeping
• The provision of refugees (Safe places for people to stand back from the vehicle routes)
• Making people aware of the movement of vehicles
• The provision of high visibility clothing
• Ensuring that everyone is aware of the site rules
• Training of and supervision of all concerned.

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To ensure vehicles can move safely around the workplace precautions should include:

• Roads and aisles should have sufficient width and overhead clearance for the largest vehicle.
• Speed limits are established and enforced
• Adequate lighting should be provided
• Clear direction signs and marking of doors to alert pedestrians and vehicle operators to hazards.
• Indications and roadway markings need to be regularly inspected and maintained so they can be easily seen and
checked out and renewed when they fade.
• Sharp/ blind bends and overhead obstructions ought to be avoided
• Any gradient needs to be kept as gentle as possible.
• Ideal and sufficient parking areas need to be offered
• If possible, avoid reversing

Reversing of Vehicles

Reversing of vehicles is always a hazard, so where possible the first measures to consider are to avoid reversing by:

• One-way systems
• Drive through systems
• Turning circles

If however, vehicles have to reverse the precautions can be:

• Separation of vehicles and pedestrians (barriers

etc.)
• Suitable workplace design
• Audible reversing alarms
• Mirrors on vehicles and blind corners
• Sufficient lighting
• When reversing), usage of banksmen (men guiding
the truck.
• High visibility clothing. Source: Molokini Marketing
• Site rules/Training.

SAFE VEHICLES

Suitable Vehicles

When selecting vehicles for use in the workplace, the employer should ensure that they are:

• Suitable for the tasks required

• Suitable for the environment
• Provided with warning aids
• Provided with protection from falling materials and in the case of some vehicles protection from roll over
• Checked daily
• Properly maintained and in good repair

Vehicle Fuels

Most works vehicles use a liquid fuel (petrol or diesel), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or batteries. The hazards of these
fuels are:-

Petrol and Diesel

• Flammable/harmful liquid has to be properly stored

• Flames or sparks from the air inlet or exhaust systems

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• Exhaust fumes including carbon monoxide

• The temperature on the body surface and the exhaust pipe.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

• Extremely flammable gas has to properly stored and leakage protection

• Exhaust fumes including carbon monoxide
• The temperature on the body surface and the exhaust pipe.
• Manual handling of cylinders

Hazards of Battery Charging

• The release of Hydrogen gas throughout charging (Fire and explosion).

• Electrical brief circuits.
• Corrosive and burning result of battery acid.
• Handbook Handling of batteries and so on

Safety measures for charging batteries need to be:

• Make sure well-ventilated location to avoid hydrogen gas building up and stagnating
• No sources of ignition near refuelling/recharging points.
• Appropriate PPE (Acid resistant gloves, eye defense etc.
• Insulated tools/procedure for connecting a battery charger.
• Lifting devices for getting rid of batteries.

Note: - Battery operated vehicles are quiet.

SAFE DRIVERS

Driver Selection

For workplace transport both internal and external, it is important that proper driver selection and training techniques
are in place.

Drivers should be:

• Mature and reliable

• Subject to pre-employment medical check
• Physically fit
• Regular medicals e.g. every 5 years or if suffering from- Restricted limb motion, Heart problems, Vision/
hearing problems­
• Licensed
• Trained and competent
• Supervised and monitored
• Given refresher training

Driver Training

Drivers should be given induction training, skills training and refresher training as necessary for them to operate the
vehicle competently and drive safely.

Training programs for vehicle operators in a work environment must include:

• Individual duties
• Safe working load estimation
• Pre- use lorry inspection and upkeep

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• Secure parking and security of automobile

• Speed limitations
• Safety rules and indications-- sounding horn/no passengers and so on
• Floor conditions-- pot holes/housekeeping and so on
• Follow site standards and local codes of practices
• Vehicle reversing – audible warnings

Employ banksmen to aid the reversing of all vehicles. The banksmen should be appropriately trained and the drivers
educated in the signals the banksmen would be using.

6. Management Systems for Assuring Driver Competence

A management system should be developed and implemented to ensure drivers remain competent. This means ensuring
that they have the necessary training, knowledge, skills and ability to operate vehicles in line with safe systems.

These may include:

• Assessment of driver’s experience and ability to operate particular vehicles and their attachments
• Check validity of certificates and licenses
• Drivers with previous experience to undergo assessment to verify competence
• Records of all training to be maintained – skills and refresher training.
• Special conditions for operation such as area limitation, vehicle types, should also be noted and recorded.
• Ensure drivers learn and understand the local code of practice.

Control Measures – Reduce Work Related Driving Risks

For visiting vehicles, other precautions should consider induction training to make drivers aware of the site rules.
A written safe system of work for loading, unloading, stacking and use of banksman, etc. must be developed and
implemented. Particular attention must be given to the storage area design.

Off-site Vehicles

For vehicles travelling off site factors to be considered are:

• Duration of journey
The Job • Road conditions
• Means of communication
• Security
• Physical and psychological capabilities
• The level of training
The Driver • Driver competency
• Relevant previous experience
• Validity of the driving licence
• Drivers must be aware of company policy on work-related road safety
• Suitability for the load
The Vehicle
• Design and layout of cab
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Correctly labelled if hazardous
Load • Spillage procedures if hazardous
• Weight
• Valuable load

Table Source: GWG

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 2.2 DRIVING AT WORK

1. Managing Work Related Road Safety

Source: Creativity Online

Policy

Work-related road safety can be effectively managed if it is integrated into the Policy arrangements for managing health
and safety at work. These include issues such as management duties, journey organisation, driver training and vehicle
maintenance.

Systems

Employers should ensure that they have adequate systems in place to manage work-related road safety effectively. For
example, ensuring vehicles are regularly inspected and serviced in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations

Monitoring

Employers should use a combination of proactive and reactive monitoring measures to monitor performance and to
ensure that the organisation’s work-related road safety policy is effective. Data collected throughout monitoring must be
evaluated to enable the organisation to make educated choices about the efficiency of existing policy and the requirement
for modifications.

Employees need to have a no blame culture to urged employees to report all job-related roadside incidents without fear
that punitive action will be taken versus them.

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Organisation and Structure

In larger organisations, the goal is to make sure that there is an integrated organisational structure that allows cooperation
throughout departments with different duties for work related roadway safety. In smaller companies, the goal is to
guarantee the links in between owning activities are considered.

Legal Responsibilities of Individuals on Public Roads

Drivers are needed to adhere to the Highway Code and other guidance associating with owning. Legal responsibilities
of individuals on public roads include:

• Having a valid driving licence, registering your vehicle and making sure it has insurance (as a minimum third
party insurance to cover the driver using the vehicle)
• Meeting the minimum eyesight rules
• Observing speed limits
• Always wear seatbelts provided in the vehicles, with only a few exceptions
• Not using mobile phone while driving
• Not driving recklessly
• Obey traffic lights, road signs or warnings from passengers;
• Not overtaking dangerously;
• Not driving under the influence of drink or drugs, including prescription drugs
• Not leaving the scene of the accident. Report accident to the police

2. Managing Work Related Road Safety

RISK ASSESSMENT - ASSESSING RISKS ON THE ROAD

Companies are required by law to perform regular risk evaluations, recognise hazards, examine the possibility of injury
or damage, evaluation workplace procedures routinely and consider methods of controlling or decreasing these threats.

Factors related to driving at work that increases the risk of being associated with a road traffic accident includes:

• Distance: driving excessive distance without breaks, causing driver fatigue

• Driving hours: Excessive driving hours with insufficient rest breaks. It is generally recommended that drivers
take a 15 minutes break for every 2 hours of driving.
• Work schedules: Driving during danger periods and peak traffic flow. Shift work between the hours of 2 am,
and 6 am are considered danger periods where driver tend to become sleepy. Peak traffic flow in the mornings
when workers go to work and in the evenings when workers go home should be avoided.
• Stress due to traffic conditions: Traffic jams and road works causing massive delays put pressure on drivers,
particularly when there is an agreed deadline for arrival.
• Weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions such as snow, rain, ice, fog, sand storm, high winds should
be considered when a journey is planned. Where the conditions are considered unsafe for driving, the trip
should be rescheduled. Vehicles should be fitted with suitable and appropriate safety equipment to deal with
weather conditions, for example, anti-lock brakes.

3. Evaluating the Risks

When assessing the risks of work related road safety, the following should be considered:

The Driver

Competency

• To ensure driver competency, Employers should check that driver:

• Have the necessary experience and ability to work efficiently and safely.

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• Possess a valid driving license for the type of vehicle to be driven

• Know their limitations and not accept driving assignments for which they have not been licensed or trained
• Be knowledgeable about the company road safety policy and procedures and what is expected of them

Employers should also:

• Have in place recruitment methods that include reference checks

• Supplement policy document with written instructions and guidance and/or training sessions or group meetings
• Specify the required standards of skill and expertise for particular job
• System in place to ensure that driving safety standards are met
• Hire fully trained, appropriately licensed, competent drivers

Fitness and Health

• Pre-employment medical to check that drivers do not have pre-existing medical conditions that would affect
their ability to drive safely
• Regular health check to ensure drivers remain fit and healthy (eye test, blood pressure test)
• Ensure Drivers of heavy lorries, for which there are legal requirements for medical examination, have the
appropriate medical certificate
• Ensure those at-work drivers who are most at risk undergo regular medicals
• Arrangements in location to remind staff who own to work that they need to be able to fulfil the eyesight
requirements set out in the Highway Code
• Personnel to be informed that they must not drive, or carry out other duties while taking a course of medicine
that might damage their judgment. In cases of doubt, they need to seek the view of their medical professional.

Training

Employers should allocate budget for training. Proper arrangements must be implemented to assess the effectiveness of
training including the requirement for refresher training.

Drivers should be given the training to remain competent to drive at work this may include induction training, skills
training, refresher training. Additional training) when working with the high-risk vehicle and hazardous load.

If the drivers have poor accident records or are young drivers. These drivers should be given priority training.

• On how to carry out pre-use checks and routine checks on items such as lights, tyres, wheel fixings
• On how to use anti-lock brakes (ABS) correctly
• On how to check washer fluid levels before starting a journey
• On how to correctly adjust seats, head restraints, mirrors
• On securing load, including safe loading and unloading
• On how to ensure safe load distribution, e.g., when undertaking multi-drop operations
• On how to recognise symptoms of fatigue, whole body vibration
• On emergency procedures to ensure their own safety, including what to do and who to contact when there is a
mishap or a failure
• On the danger of fatigue and what to do if they start to feel sleepy
• To be fully aware of the height of their vehicle, both laden and empty

In addition, Employers should provide a handbook for drivers giving advice and information on road safety

4. The Vehicle
The Vehicle Suitability

Management should have in place a procurement policy to ensure that only vehicles that are fit for purpose and comply
with safety standards are purchased.

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Arrangements should be in place to hire or replace vehicles if existing fleet is not suitable for the job in hand.

No private car must be allowed to be used at work unless they are insured for business use.

The Vehicle Condition

Employers should ensure that vehicles are maintained in a safe and fit condition. These include:

• Having adequate maintenance arrangements in place

• Ensuring maintenance and repairs are carried out to an acceptable standard
• Ensuring planned/preventative maintenance performed in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Ensuring drivers know how to carry out basic safety checks
• Ensuring vehicles do not exceed maximum load weight
• Ensuring goods and equipment which are to be carried in a vehicle can be protected, Like, moving materials or
tools can cause a distraction to the driver.
• Ensuring windscreen wipers are inspected regularly and replaced as necessary

The Vehicle Safety Equipment

• Safety equipment should be properly fitted and maintained.

• There should be reliable equipment to secure loads.
• Reverse lights and audible alarms should be in good working condition
• Airbags are installed and functional
• Anti-lock brakes are functional

Safety Critical Information

Drivers should have access to safety critical information that will help them reduce risks.

• These include information on:

• The recommended tyre pressures
• Adjusting headlight beam to adjust the load weight
• How to adjust head restraints to compensate for the effects of whiplash
• Steps to be taken when the vehicle is found to be unsafe, with information on whom to contact.

Ergonomic Considerations

• Musculoskeletal disorder (neck, back and low back problems) can be caused by the driver not adopting correct
posture & seating position.
• When purchasing or hiring vehicles, the Employer should take into account ergonomic considerations.
Good seat design could avoid musculoskeletal disorder including whole body vibration. Car seats should be
adjustable to ensure safety and comfort (lumbar support, height, recline position, etc.)
• Drivers should be provided with guidance on good posture and how to set their seat correctly.

5. The Journey
Routes

Routes should be planned thoroughly to make sure safe driving, use of safer paths which are better for the kind of car
carrying out the journey

Freeways are the best roads, and although small roads might be fine for cars and trucks, they are less safe and might
provide problems for bigger lorries.

Route preparation must take into account overhead restrictions, e.g., bridges and tunnels and other hazards, such as level
crossings, which may provide threats for long vehicles

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Scheduling

Employers should set realistic work schedules

• Consider periods when drivers are most likely to feel sleepy when planning work schedules. Sleep-related
accidents are most likely to occur between 2 am, and 6am and between 2 pm and 4 pm.
• Implement Control measures to stop employees from driving if they feel sleepy even if this might upset delivery
schedules
• Checking tachograph timely to make sure that drivers are not taking shortcuts and putting everyone at risk
• Avoid periods of peak traffic flow
• Provide sufficient allowances for new trainee drivers

Time

• Employer should ensure sufficient time is allowed to complete journeys safely

• Set realistic schedules. Journey times should take account of road types and condition, and allow for rest
breaks.
• Control measures implemented to ensure drivers comply with driver’s hour’s rules
• Company policy should not put unreasonable work pressures on drivers which will force them to take risks,
such as speeding and short cuts.
• Drivers to make an overnight stay, rather than having to complete a long road journey at the end of the working
day
• Employers should advise staff that work irregular hours of the dangers of driving home from work when they
are excessively tired. Consider an alternative, such as a taxi

Source: TallyPress

Distance

Drivers must not be put at risk from fatigue caused by driving excessive distances without appropriate breaks

Think about methods to remove long roadway journeys or decrease them by combining with other techniques of
transport. As an example, there is a possibility to move items wholesale by train and after that organise for local
circulation by van or lorry

Take into consideration fatigue and tired when long journeys are planned and assessed.

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Set criteria to ensure that employees are not being asked to work an exceptionally long day.

Weather conditions

Employers should give sufficient consideration to inclement weather, such as

snow or high winds, when planning journeys. Consider rescheduling journey times and routes to take account of adverse
weather conditions

Ensure vehicles are properly equipped to operate in bad climatic conditions, e.g., fitting Anti-lock brakes. Ensure drivers
understand the action they should take to reduce risk, e.g., drivers of high-sided vehicles should know that they should
take extra care if driving in high winds with a light load

Ensure drivers do not feel pressurised to complete journeys where weather conditions are challenging

STEPS TO RISK ASSESSMENT

Step 1-- Determine the Hazards/Risks

Determine/identify hazards that may result in harm when owning on public roads. You require the views of those who
drive thoroughly but also get the views of those who just utilise the roadways periodically.

Step 2-- Decide who may be harmed and how.

In almost all cases this will be the motorist, but it might also consist of travellers, other road users and/or pedestrians.
Consider vulnerable groups who may be especially at risks, such as young or freshly certified drivers and those owning
long distances.

Step 3-- Decide and evaluate the risk whether existing precautions are sufficient or more must be done.

It is likely that some threats will stay even after all precautions are taken. What you have to decide for each significant
hazard is whether the remaining risk is acceptable.

Step 4 – Record your findings.

You should record the significant conclusions of the risk assessment. Your risk assessment must be suitable and sufficient.
It should include information such as:

• A proper check was made

• You consulted those who might be affected
• You dealt with all the obvious hazards

Step 5 – Review and revise if required.

You will have to monitor and evaluate your evaluation to guarantee that the risks to those who drive, and others, are
appropriately managed. For this to be reliable, you have to have a system for event, recording and analysing information
about road occurrences. You need to also tape details of motorist and car history.

6. Control Measures
Where work-related road safety is integrated into the arrangements for managing health and safety at work, it can be
managed effectively. The main areas to be addressed are policy, responsibility, organisation, systems and monitoring.
Employees should be encouraged to report all work-related road incidents and be assured that punitive action will not
be taken against them.

• Plan all journeys in advance taking into consideration duration, route, weather condition, traffic delays, the
length of the vehicle, etc.

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• Driver to carry out pre-use check

• Drivers must have valid driving license, cleared health checks and competent to drive the vehicle
• Drivers to attend training such as defensive driving, skills training, refresher training
• Implementation of No Drugs and Alcohol policy, conduct random breath and blood test
• Workers to notify employer if they are taking prescription drugs that may impair their ability to drive
• Strict no tolerance must be put in place to prevent drivers from using mobile phones while driving. If required,
a hands-free device must be provided.
• with an appropriate hands-free set. Ensure drivers adhere to speed limits
• Ensure drivers take regular breaks and not drive continuously for more than 2 hours
• Drivers to use headlights in a bad weather condition where visibility is affected, e.g., fog
• Preventing schedules which are not realistic and force drivers to overspend and take short cuts to increase the
turnaround time.
• All vehicles to have fully comprehensive insurance coverage
• Depending on the type of vehicle, personal protective equipment to be worn as appropriate such as a hard hat
and high visibility clothing.

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SUMMARY
This element discussed the main hazards and controls associated with use of vehicles and pedestrian movements. In
particular:

• Hazards and factors affecting level of risk from workplace transport operations including conditions and
environments in which each hazard may arise: vehicle movement, eg, driving too fast, especially around bends;
reversing; silent operation of machinery; poor visibility (around loads etc), overturning of vehicles; collisions
with other vehicles, pedestrians and fixed objects
• Non-movement, eg, loading (including overloading); unloading; securing loads; sheeting; coupling;
vehicle maintenance work.
• Control measures for safe workplace transport operations:
• Safe site: suitability of traffic routes (including site access and egress); management of vehicle movements;
environmental considerations (visibility, gradients, changes of level, surface conditions); segregating of
pedestrians and vehicles and measures to be taken when segregation is not practicable; protective measures
for people and structures (barriers, marking signs, warnings of vehicle approach and reversing); site
rules (including speed limits).
• Safe vehicles: suitable vehicles; maintenance/repair of vehicles;visibility from vehicles/reversing aids;
driver protection and restraint systems.
• Safe drivers: selection and training of drivers: banksman reversing assistant); management systems for
assuring driver competence including local codes of practice.
• Managing work-related road safety: policy covers work-related road safety; systems to manage work-related
road safety: monitoring performance to ensure policy is effective eg collection of information, reporting
of work-related road incidents by employees; organisation and structure (to allow cooperation across
departments with different responsibilities for work-related road safety); legal responsibilities of individuals
on public roads
• Risk assessment - factors associated with driving at work that increases the risk of being involved in a road
traffic incident (distance, driving hours, work schedules, stress due to traffic and weather conditions etc).
• Evaluating the risks: the driver (competency, fitness and health, training); the vehicle (suitability, condition,
safety equipment, safety critical information, ergonomic considerations); the journey (routes, scheduling,
sufficient time, weather conditions)
• Control measures to reduce work-related driving risks.

REFERENCES
UK references
1. Statutory provisions Road Traffic Act 1988
2. Road Traffic Act 1991
3. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
4. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Other references
1. Driving at Work – Managing Work-Related Road Safety, INDG382, HSE Books http://www.hse.gov.uk/
pubns/indg382.pdf
2. Safe Use of Work Equipment, ACoP and guidance (part III in particular), L22, third edition 2008, HSE
Books, ISBN: 978-0-7176-6295-1
3. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, Guidance on regulations, second edition
2009, L64, HSE Books, ISBN: 978-0-7176-6359-0 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l64.pdf
4. Workplace Transport Safety – Guidance for Employers (HSG136), HSE Books
5. ISBN 0-7176-6154-1 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg136.pdf

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EU/International references
1. Graphical symbols – Safety signs - Registered safety signs - ISO 7010:2011, International
2. Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)
3. C153 Hours of Work and Rest Periods (Road Transport) Convention 1979 (No. 153) http://www.ilo.org/dyn/
normlex/en/f?p=1000:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C153 and its accompanying R161 Hours of Work
and Rest Periods (Road Transport) Recommendation
4. 1979 (No. 161):
5. http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_INSTRUME NT_
ID:312499:NO
6. Safety and Health in Construction, ILO CoP, ILO Geneva 1992, ISBN: 92-2-107104-9
7. http://www.ilo.org/safework/info/standards-and-instruments/codes/WCMS_107826/lang--en/index.htm

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