Health and Safety - Work Place Transport
Every year about 70 people are killed in transport related accidents in workplaces.
Most transport related accidents involve people being hit or run over by moving vehicles, people falling from the vehicles (usually part of the load) or being injured as a result of vehicles overturning.
Cars and other vehicles are extremely common both on public roads and at workplaces. Consequently, employers and employees often do not recognise - until a serious accident actually happens - that vehicle activities can be very dangerous and need to be properly managed and need to be included in any risk assessments.
Do you use vehicles at work?
If you have vehicles entering or operating on your premises, even in the car park, you need to consider if the arrangements in place are satisfactory.
- Check the layout of routes - are vehicles and pedestrians kept safely apart?
- Are traffic routes suitable - wide enough, with firm even surfaces, good visibility, free from obstructions?
- Is reversing minimised?
- Consider arrangements for loading and unloading.
If you operate fork lifts or lorries:
- Are they provided with horns, lights and seat belts?
- Are the drivers trained and following safe systems of work?
Additional detailed information, leaflets and guidance on specific work-related transport issues |is available from the HSE.
|A risk assessment checklist can be downloaded for workplace transport and other hazards within your premises. These checklists are only examples and indicate some of the main points to be considered in your workplace transport and other assessments.
Further information
- 'Managing Vehicle Safety at the Workplace (leaflet for employers) - available free from |Environmental Health & Licensing
- 'Workplace Transport Safety - HS(G)136' - available from the |(HSE)
