Woodworking industry and allied trades - Vehicle safety

Managing for safety is about reducing risks, not eliminating them.

Think about what accidents might happen, and take steps to try and make sure they are avoided. This is called a ‘risk assessment, and every employer has to do it by law.

First, identify the work activities involving vehicles (including visiting vehicles) over a reasonable period (eg over the course of a week).

Activities may include:

• arrival and departure;
• travel within the workplace;
• loading, unloading and securing loads;
• sheeting;
• coupling; and
• vehicle maintenance work.

Next, identify the risks associated with these activities. Ask yourself what the possible dangers are, and what is causing those dangers.

For example,

• could someone be hit by a moving vehicle?
• Could someone fall from a vehicle, eg while getting in or out, or during loading?
• Or be hit by an object falling from a vehicle?
• Could a vehicle tip over?

When looking for hazards, include:

• The vehicles themselves.
  • Are they safe and suitable for their use?
  • Are they properly maintained?
  • Do they need to be replaced with new, safer vehicles?
• The routes or roadways used by the vehicles.
  • Are they safe and suitable for the type and number of vehicles using them?
  • Are they properly maintained?
  • Have you considered nearby obstructions, curbs or edges?
• What drivers are doing.
  • Are there pressures on operators that might encourage them to work less safely?
  • For example, do they have to rush to complete their work on schedule?
  • Is there a risk of drivers becoming overtired?
    
• Are they working safely,
  • when getting into or out of vehicles,
  • during loading or unloading,
  • and are they observing routes and speed limits
  • Look for ‘short cuts’ that drivers may be tempted to use in both routes and safety procedures.
• What other people are doing.
  • Are other workers, customers, or members of the public kept clear of workplace vehicles wherever possible?
  • Ask drivers and any other workers at the site (including contractors and visiting drivers) for their views.

Remember, the risk assessment should always be kept up-to-date, regardless of any reviews that may be due ‘soon’. If you introduce new vehicles, equipment or working practices, look at the risk assessment and see if it needs updating.