Page 21 - BOSS Today Issue 14

HealtH & Safety

Workplaces

Without

danger

Many employers overlook potential accident blackspots
within their own workplace. Don’t you be one of them

any accidents each delivery of waste skips, and the pass pedestrians safely. Barriers spots and sharp bends.
year – both in the operation of vehicles used by or safety rails may be needed in Visiting drivers must be
Moffice supplies contractors and suppliers. particularly vulnerable places, made aware of site traffic rules.
industry and beyond - involve the Health & Safety executive such as doorways, gateways, Vehicle movements should
powered vehicles, including (HSe) has produced extensive tunnels, bridges or other be directly supervised when
lorries, vans and fork lift trucks. statistics that identify four main enclosed routes. necessary, particularly during
according to a recent report by areas where workplace transport Pedestrian access around reversing operations or when
the Health and Safety executive accidents occur: loading bays and delivery near blind corners. When
(HSe), there were 46 fatalities points must be fully controlled long vehicles are reversing
caused by workplace transport ✱ Moving vehicles that come and preferably be accessed into difficult areas, audible
in 2010/2011. into direct contact with through a separate and clearly and visual warning signals
although injuries may be people in the workplace. identified door. Signage must be used where fitted, or
severe and even fatal, the ✱ People falling from vehicles is required that directs a banksman protocol should
dangers from workplace during the loading and pedestrians to the safe route. be in force if required. floors
transport are often overlooked unloading operations. areas where vehicles operate and roadways must be kept in
by employers. all transport ✱ Vehicles (including forklift must also be well lit, particularly good condition.
movements in and around trucks) that have overturned in outside areas at night. High visibility clothing
the workplace and when due to exceeding site speed Site speed limits should be should be implemented
making deliveries or collections limits, uneven surfaces in the set up and clearly signed, and in areas where vehicle
need to be controlled to yard, or unsafe loads. management controls put in movements are common, such
protect pedestrians and to ✱ Goods that have fallen from a place to ensure full compliance. as warehouses, loading and
prevent damage to plant and vehicle striking individuals in In some areas, control measures unloading bays and yard areas.
equipment. the area. such as speed humps can be
In small office supply implemented. Safe crossing n If you have any
businesses, the risk may be When investigating these points for pedestrians must questIons about health
limited to the parking of types of accidents or carrying be clearly marked and visible. and safety, please
employees’ cars, controlling out risk assessments, companies action must be taken to control contact your regIonal
visitors and contractors on should look at the movement danger points, such as blind h&s advIser.
site, and routine deliveries by of goods around the site
light vehicles. But in bigger and ensure that vehicles and
businesses the risk assessment pedestrians are separated as
will need to take into account much as possible. those traffic
arrangements for unloading routes used by both vehicles
and loading from heavy goods and pedestrians need to be wide
vehicles, the removal and enough to enable vehicles to

28 BOSS TODAY | September/October 2012 September/October 2012 | BOSS TODAY 29