The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has published up to date guidance on the safe operation of vehicles in the workplace. 'Workplace Transport Safety: An Employers' Guide' provides advice on all aspects of workplace transport and although is aimed primarily at managers and supervisors, it is equally useful for safety and union representatives, contracts, the self-employed and employees.

Carol Grainger, Head of HSE's Workplace Transport Team, said: "Workplace transport is the second biggest cause of incidents in the workplace, accounting for about 70 fatalities each year. The majority of these accidents are preventable. Reducing these casualties is an important priority in the HSE's work programme.  The guide gives detailed advice on the key risks surrounding transport use in today's workplaces, and how to get to grips with controlling them. There's also a free booklet which provides an extensive overview of the subject, enabling those responsible for workplace transport to identify any areas of their operations where further help might be required".

The guide tackles general workplace transport safety issues and provides an introduction to workplace transport risk management. In particular it offers information on assessing the transport risks relating to site safety, vehicles themselves, the people working with and around them, and implementing a safe system of work.  Later chapters offer specific guidance on typical workplace transport operations and common risks.

HSE has also published a revised version of 'Workplace Transport: An Overview' - this is a free booklet that provides employers with a brief summary of the main issues that should be considered when planning workplace transport operations. The 27-page booklet also includes specific sections about workplace organisation and operations.

The HSE says that the four main types of workplace transport accidents which employers and the self-employed need to prevent are:

-  moving vehicles hitting or running over people

-  people falling off vehicles

-  vehicles overturning

-  objects falling off vehicles

 

To order the copies of Workplace Transport Safety: An Employers' Guide (ISBN 0 7176 6154 7) priced at £11.50 please contact HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995

To download the guide Workplace Transport Safety: An Overview - please visit: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg199.pdf

For further information on Workplace Transport Safety please visit the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport