The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an
awareness campaign warning of the risk of falls from vehicles at
work.
Figures released in 2004-05 showed that the transport industry
had one of the worse records for major injuries due to falls from
vehicles, and that the sector accounted for 31% of all workplace
fatalities.
Every year 2,000 workers are seriously injured after falling
from their vehicle. HSE's ongoing workplace
transport campaign warns workers to take sensible precautions to
minimise risks in all vehicle-related work.
Marking the current awareness campaign, Judith Hackitt, Chair of
the Health & Safety Commission (HSC) said: "Every year
2,000 workers are seriously injured after falling from their
vehicle. It is vital that those who work in the transport industry
take this issue seriously.
"Last year four workers actually lost their lives after falling
from their truck or lorry and the cost of these deaths and serious
injuries to the industry is in excess of £35 million a year."
"A majority of falls lead to serious injuries that affect
workers and their families. Simple sensible precautions can avoid
these incidents and the distress they cause.
Those who buy and manage the many fleets of workplace vehicles
up and down the country have an opportunity to set a real
leadership example."
STEPS TO IMPROVE SAFETY OF VEHICLES
The awareness campaign aims to help those who are responsible
for buying and managing workplace vehicles with steps that can be
taken to improve the safety of vehicles:
- vehicles should be well maintained and checked
regularly
- procedures for loading & unloading should avoid
the need to work at height where possible
- floor surfaces should be anti slip when possible, or
slip-resistant footwear provided
- if work at height is unavoidable - steps, platforms
and other safety equipment should be provided
FURTHER INFORMATION
The HSE
website features an area focusing on Falls from Vehicles which
includes guidance and safety checklists, aimed at vehicle buyers,
managers and workers. For further information please visit:
www.hse.gov.uk/fallsfromvehicles
Alongside the Falls from Vehicles campaign, the HSE is also running a
Moving Goods Safely targeted inspection
initiative.
The initiative concentrates on risks to employees from workplace
transport, manual handling, slips & trips and working at
heights.
HSE and
local authority inspectors will work on joint inspections which
primarily aim to provide an opportunity for employers and staff to
get advice on good working practices. However if they discover
serious examples of bad working practice they can take
enforcement.
For further information please visit: www.hse.gov.uk/movinggoods