HSE have recently published guidance on preventing accidents from use of vehicles at work.

The guidance looks at safety from four perspectives.

a) Personal

Vehicle drivers must:-

  • be physically and mentally fit to drive. Anyone with alcohol or drug abuse problems clearly may not be competent. Equally eyesight is an important factor.

  • be competent. Training is important particularly in keeping the right food off the pedal!

  • understand their legal duties.

    Standards must be maintained:-

  • with regular assessments

  • responding to changing needs of individuals

    It is also important to manage contractors, visitors and fork lift trucks.

    Maintaining medical fitness is important as well as the new smoking rules in vehicles.

    b) Site layout and maintenance

  • The workplace must be safe for people and vehicles using it.

  • Workplace traffic routes must be suitable and safe.

  • Vehicles and pedestrians must be sufficiently separated

    c) Management responsibilities

  • A suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be made.

    d) Work vehicle selection and maintenance for those vehicles provided by the business for use in work they must be:-

  • safe

  • right for the job

  • driven and accessed safely

  • maintained, repaired, inspected regularly Visit www.lawgistics.co.uk or call 0870 26 77 118 for more information.