Movement of People and Vehicles Discussion lead by Mary Henton-Smith

Workplace transport is a major cause of serious and fatal accidents. HSE have chosen transport to be one of the five topics which will take their exclusive attention in the next few years and have a dedicated Workplace Transport web index.

The Amending Directive to the use of Work Equipment Directive (AUWED) contains certain requirements which relate to pedestrians. These requirement are implemented via ACOP which is inserted in the introduction to Safe Use of Work Equipment, ACOP and guidance. It states:

“You should take measures, where appropriate, to prevent pedestrians coming into the area of operation of self- propelled work equipment. Where this is not reasonably practicable, appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the risks involved, including the operation or appropriate traffic rules.”

Workplace transport and vehicles can be subjected to a number of general requirements and some more specific ones. Risk assessments need to include transport and vehicle safety. Regulation 17 of The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regs main requirements are: 1.The workplace should be organised in such a way that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely 2.Traffic routes should be sufficient, suitable and of sufficient size 3.Traffic routes are suitably indicated

These two requirements deal with opposite ends of the same problem Backing up these requirements is Reg. 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the starting point will be a Risk Assessment within the workplace which will a Transport Plan

Sources of References HSG 136 Workplace transport safety, Guidance for Employers, ISBN HSE’s Workplace Transport – an overview HSE’s Workplace Transport – Site inspection Checklist INDG148 Reversing vehicles, ISBN

Causes of work transport and vehicles accidents Using the wrong vehicle or unsuitable vehicle Driver error, sometime due to poor training and lack of competence Tiredness resulting from long hours Driving too fast Using the vehicle in the wrong area, such as on slopes Poorly maintained or defective vehicles Misuse of vehicles and horseplay Inadequate planning of traffic routes, which could include the marking, lighting inadequate restristictions for pedestrians

Transport Plan What does your Transport Plan state? Is it in place? Is your workforce aware of the necessary procedures? How is the Plan monitored? Is the Plan reviewed? Can it the Plan be improved?