News

More than 6,000 workplace transport injuries were reported in the UK during 2006/07, along with 66 fatalities. However, compared with the previous year there was little change in the numbers and putting the figures in context, transport injuries accounted for 7% of all major workplace injuries reported and 22% of all fatalities. Fork-lift trucks accounted for the majority (27%) of all workplace transport accidents, with LGVs second at 17%, and vans and trailers both at 6%.

The statistics  were revealed at The Managing Workplace Transport Risks Conference run by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, earlier this month in Birmingham. Speaking at the event, Carol Grainger, programme manager for the HSE's Workplace Transport Programme, revealed the five most common types of workplace transport accident, starting with the most common: being struck by a moving vehicle falling from a vehicle materials falling from a vehicle overturning of a vehicle and people being hit against part of a vehicle while travelling in it.

To date, the HSE has tackled the two most common injuries and is due to discuss at its planning meeting in July which area it will tackle next. Grainger tells MT: "A growing problem is loads coming loose or shifting while on the back of a vehicle, so we may look at launching a campaign around this." Asked how hauliers can reduce the risk of workplace accidents, Grainger says: "If your readers only  do one thing, they should keep pedestrians and vehicles apart." She also adds that "everything comes back to management" and recommends that operators include safety responsibilities in job descriptions and in contracts with third-party companies whose employees drive on site.

Grainger also suggests calling the HSE workplace transport advice line, hosted by the FTA, which she claims is currently under utilised. "We'd love more people to use it as it gives us an idea of what the main areas of concern are for people. You don't have to give your details - you can remain anonymous." Grainger adds that the HSE is about to launch a site safety checklist on it's Route Map website, which will list all the things an HSE inspector looks for when visiting a site. For more information click here.