Avoiding Falls From Vehicles
"The Health and Safety of our employees and contractors is of primary importance in Osborne." Cavan Woods, Construction Safety Manager
Three million people in the UK work on or near vehicles as part of their regular job. Getting on and off a vehicle to 
carry out loading/unloading operations and working at height on the vehicle are often viewed as incidental to the main job. Because of this, the risks involved may not be properly considered by both workers and their managers.
The economic and human cost of the falls from vehicles that the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) is aware of was over £36 million in 2004/5, and more than 2000 serious injuries to people falling from vehicles are reported to HSE each year. Many of these injuries are broken arms or legs, resulting in weeks off work and possible loss of earnings.
Careful assessment of the tasks involved and implementation of simple and cost effective safety controls can reduce the risk of falls from vehicles significantly and avoid potential losses for your company.
Get help from the workers who use the vehicle - they know how the job is really done and normally have good ideas about how to make it safer and more efficient.
Osborne has adopted policies to minimise and manage occupational road risk (MORR). We have been running a driver assessment and training programme since 2003, using an in-house driving assessor and are therefore fully supportive of the HSE's campaign.
In 2007, 166 drivers were assessed and 187 vehicles used on group business were checked for safety. In 2007 we were one of only 15 companies to be recognised nationally with RoSPA MORR awards, showing our commitment to raising health and safety standards within the construction industry.
Top tips for preventing falls from vehicles:
Getting on and off the vehicle
- DON'T jump down - this is bad for your knees and you are more likely to fall.
- Always use steps and handholds if provided.
- Take a few seconds to climb down from the cab, load area or catwalk facing the vehicle and use the handhold.
- Report missing or damaged equipment.
Before stepping off the vehicle, check for uneven surfaces such as potholes or kerbs which may cause you to slip.
Keeping your vehicle safe
- Carry out pre-use checks on your vehicle. For example, check that steps and handholds are in good condition.
- Report broken boards and any other objects that could cause a fall.
- Keep the load area tidy - pick up loose ropes, packaging etc.
- Check that the straps are safely stored on curtainsiders so people don't trip on them.
- Clean up spills and dirt such as diesel or mud on the catwalk or load area to stop people slipping in them.
- On refrigerated vehicles, check the floor conditions for ice or water and follow any systems in place for reducing the amount of water produced.
How you can work safely
- Wear well-fitting, slip-resistant safety footwear when working on vehicles.
- Keep the soles of your footwear clean to reduce the risk of slipping.
- Follow safe systems of work for loading and unloading vehicles.
- Make sure you have been trained in and follow the company's safe way of working if you have to use equipment such as tail-lifts or lorry loader cranes.
- Use safe ways of getting on or off the vehicle when carrying out maintenance above ground level, for example by using gantries or tower scaffolds.
- Look at what other companies do - if you see a good idea suggest it to your safety adviser or supervisor.
For more information contact Cavan Woods