Steering Towards Safety: A Guide for Employers
Workplace transport plays an essential role in many industries, from logistics and warehousing to construction and agriculture. But with transportation comes risk—especially for the drivers who operate within bustling, sometimes hazardous, environments. Workplace transport safety is more than just a legal obligation; it’s a commitment to safeguarding your employees, preventing costly accidents, and ensuring efficient operations.
Vehicles continue to be one of the major causes of fatal and major injuries within the workplace. The most recent figures for 2023 to 2024 show that 25 workers were killed when struck by a moving vehicle.
In this blog, we’ll cover the key steps employers can take to prioritise driver safety and foster a culture of safety around workplace transport.
1. Understand the Importance of Driver Safety
Investing in driver safety has immediate and long-term benefits:
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- Protects Lives and Health: Drivers encounter a wide range of risks, from moving vehicles and lifting equipment to loading areas. Proper safety measures can prevent injuries and save lives.
- Reduces Costs: Accidents can lead to downtime, repair expenses, legal fees, and higher insurance premiums. Prioritising safety helps reduce these financial risks.
- Boosts Productivity and Morale: Employees feel valued when safety is prioritised, which can improve productivity and job satisfaction.
- Ensures Compliance: The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers to assess and minimise workplace transport risks to comply with legal standards.
2. Conduct a Workplace Transport Risk Assessment
A workplace transport risk assessment identifies hazards, evaluates risks, and provides the foundation for a solid safety plan. Here’s how to start:
Identify Common Hazards
Examine your workplace for potential dangers that drivers might encounter, such as:
- Vehicle Movements: Traffic patterns, blind spots, and areas where vehicles and pedestrians intersect.
- Loading and Unloading Areas: Risks from improperly secured loads, unstable ground, or poor lighting.
- Driver Fatigue: Work schedules and long shifts can increase the likelihood of accidents.
Evaluate the Risks
For each hazard, assess the likelihood of an incident occurring and the potential severity of its impact. Consider:
- Frequency of Tasks: High-frequency tasks, like loading and unloading, may require extra controls.
- Driver Experience Levels: Inexperienced drivers may require additional supervision or training.
- Environmental Conditions: Outdoor or night-time operations may need specific lighting and visibility solutions.
Create a Plan
Once you’ve identified risks, develop solutions to minimise them. For example:
- Introducing vehicle-only zones to separate drivers from pedestrians.
- Installing barriers and mirrors at blind spots.
- Implementing clear signage and lane markings.
3. Establish Safe Operating Procedures/Safe Systems of Works (SOPS/SSOW)
Standardising safety procedures for drivers is essential. Clear guidelines give drivers confidence and reinforce safe behaviours. Here are some areas to cover:
Speed Limits and Safe Driving Speeds
- Set safe speed limits in different zones of the workplace, considering factors like pedestrian traffic, blind spots, and vehicle type.
- Post speed limit signs and regularly remind drivers of the importance of adhering to these limits.
Loading and Unloading Protocols
- Train drivers on safe loading and unloading techniques, emphasising proper use of equipment and safe positioning.
- Ensure that areas designated for loading and unloading are free of obstructions and adequately lit.
Reporting and Inspection Requirements
- Encourage drivers to report any safety hazards or equipment issues immediately.
- Implement pre-drive and post-drive checklists to ensure vehicles are in safe operating condition, including checks on brakes, tires, lights, and mirrors.
4. Provide Comprehensive Training
Driver training is a cornerstone of workplace transport safety. Training helps drivers understand the risks they may face, teaches them how to handle different scenarios, and equips them with the skills they need to operate vehicles safely.
Key Training Areas
- Vehicle Operation and Safety Features: Ensure drivers are trained on the specific vehicles they’ll be operating, covering controls, safety features, and potential risks.
- Worksite Hazards: Familiarise drivers with any unique hazards in the workplace, such as narrow passages, heavy pedestrian traffic, or unstable ground.
- Emergency Procedures: Train drivers on how to respond to emergencies, including vehicle breakdowns, fire incidents, or medical emergencies.
Regular Refresher Courses
Safety training should not be a one-time event. Provide refresher courses periodically and update drivers on any new procedures, safety features, or regulations.
5. Maintain a Safe Fleet
Proper vehicle maintenance is crucial for preventing breakdowns and accidents. Even the most experienced drivers are vulnerable if their equipment fails, so it’s essential to keep vehicles in peak condition.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance Schedules
- Daily Checks: Have drivers perform daily checks on essential components, such as tires, brakes, mirrors, and lights, before starting their shift.
- Scheduled Maintenance: Develop a maintenance schedule that includes regular professional inspections and servicing. Document each maintenance task to track vehicle history and identify recurring issues.
Implementing Telematics and Monitoring Systems
Modern telematics systems provide valuable insights into driving behaviour and vehicle performance. Using telematics, you can monitor:
- Driver Behaviour: Track speeding, harsh braking, and sudden acceleration to identify drivers who may need additional training.
- Vehicle Health: Real-time monitoring of engine health and other critical components helps identify maintenance needs before they become a hazard.
6. Design a Safe Workplace Layout
The design of your workplace impacts driver safety significantly. A well-planned layout can minimise risks and create safer pathways for vehicles and pedestrians alike.
Separate Vehicle and Pedestrian Areas
- Physical Barriers: Use barriers to separate pedestrian walkways from vehicle lanes.
- Clearly Marked Crosswalks: Designate pedestrian crossings with bright paint, lights, or warning signs.
- One-Way Systems: One-way routes can reduce the likelihood of collisions and simplify traffic flow.
Improve Visibility and Lighting
- Mirrors and Cameras: Install mirrors in areas with limited visibility or use cameras on vehicles to eliminate blind spots.
- Adequate Lighting: Ensure all areas, especially loading zones and vehicle pathways, are well-lit, particularly for night-time operations or indoor environments with limited natural light.
7. Address Driver Fatigue and Scheduling
Fatigue is a major contributor to workplace transport accidents. Long hours, repetitive tasks, and stressful conditions can lead to decreased concentration and slower reaction times.
Set Reasonable Working Hours
- Follow recommended guidelines to prevent long shifts and ensure drivers have adequate rest.
- Encourage frequent breaks and avoid scheduling consecutive long shifts whenever possible.
Encourage Rest and Healthy Habits
- Educate drivers on recognising signs of fatigue and encourage them to rest if they feel tired.
- Provide access to rest areas and facilities where drivers can recharge during breaks.
8. Promote a Culture of Safety and Accountability
Driver safety requires a collective commitment to maintaining a safe work environment. A strong culture of safety empowers drivers to take personal responsibility for their actions and encourages them to look out for each other.
Encourage Incident Reporting
- Foster a no-blame culture where drivers feel comfortable reporting near-misses, hazards, or safety concerns.
- Analyse incident reports to identify recurring issues and make proactive adjustments to prevent accidents.
Recognise Safe Behaviour
- Reward safe driving behaviours and celebrate milestones without accidents or incidents.
- Implement a recognition program that acknowledges drivers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to safety.
Conclusion
Prioritising driver safety in workplace transport is not only about compliance—it’s a commitment to creating a work environment where everyone can operate confidently and securely. From conducting thorough risk assessments and providing robust training to designing a safe layout and addressing fatigue, there are many steps employers can take to protect their drivers.
By fostering a proactive approach to safety, you can reduce the risk of accidents, improve operational efficiency, and create a workplace where drivers feel valued and secure. Safe drivers contribute to a safe workplace, which benefits employees, the organisation, and the broader community alike.
Getting Started
As you have no doubt deduced this is no small undertaking and that’s where we can help. We offer a range of training courses and consultation services that will quickly bring you up to speed and make your workplace safer.
- Talk to us now – All our contact details can be found here.
- We have a range of E-learning courses available to help you develop health and safety in your business specifically –Banksman Training, Provision and Use of Work Equipment (PUWER) and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment (LOLER)
About Us
Westminster Compliance was established to provide a more personal, proactive health and safety consultancy that would keep businesses working and compliant with ever-changing legislation.
Our presentations and training are interesting and fun because we want our clients to buy into health and safety, and definitely not to see it as a boring, unnecessary nuisance. We know that our best service is provided to small and medium sized organisations and have developed a system that works in most industries.
We stick with straightforward language, keeping away from jargon, and do not make ridiculous promises. Most importantly, we realise that we are working with human beings.