c10_workplace_transport_and_driving_for_work_COMPLETE

Question 1

The main causes of fatal accidents and major injuries are:

Answer 1

 being struck by a moving vehicle (60% of fatal accidents and 37% of major injuries)  people falling off a vehicle or its load (17% of fatal accidents and 42% of major injuries)  loads falling off vehicles (14% of fatal accidents and 10% of major injuries)  vehicles overturning (9% of fatal accidents and 3% of major injuries).

Question 2

Safe systems of work for the use of a site dumper should be developed following consideration of

Answer 2

 Vehicle - a dumper should be selected on the basis of its size and capacity and stability for use on site, and should be maintained in good (safe) condition. It should be provided with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS) and integral seat restraints (such as seat belts), designed to hold the driver in position should the vehicle tip over. A ROPS bar on its own will not adequately protect the driver in the event of a roll-over.  Site - site routes should be maintained to minimise potholes, ruts, debris and other obstructions.  Driver - the use of any site vehicle should be restricted to competent drivers who have been authorised to operate that vehicle. Only authorised drivers should hold vehicle keys.

Question 3

Hazards may arise from a range of non-movement related workplace transport activities including: 4

Answer 3

 Loading, unloading and securing loads  Coupling  Sheeting  Vehicle maintenance work.

Question 4

A safe and secure load needs to be both:

Answer 4

 restrained, i.e. tied firmly down to the load bed  contained so that it can’t move around (shift) inside the vehicle.

Question 5

Many tipper sheeting accidents could be prevented if automated sheeting devices were used and there was better co-operation between the parties involved. A hierarchy of solutions for managing the risk would be: 5

Answer 5

(a) Leave the load unsheeted (if road traffic and environmental law allows it). (b) Use automated or mechanical sheeting systems, which don’t require people to go upon the vehicle. (c) Use manual sheeting systems which don’t require people to go up on the vehicle. (d) Use work platforms to provide safe access to carry out sheeting from the platform without having to access the load. (e) Use gantry/harness systems to prevent or arrest a fall.

Question 6

Coupling procedures will vary between different vehicles. A safe procedure should be determined for each individual vehicle following a risk assessment. In general though the stages of a safe coupling procedure are: 8

Answer 6

(a) Apply trailer handbrake, if fitted. Note: handbrakes may be absent if the trailer air brakes are fail-safe or there are other measures to prevent movement. (b) For automatic coupling: - reverse cab slowly under the trailer, with the ‘kingpin’ lined up to the ‘V’ of the locking mechanism. (c) For manual coupling: - reverse the vehicle into place - make sure that the parking brakes are applied - manually attach the locking mechanism. (d) ‘Tug test’, i.e. drive forward slowly in a low gear to check that the fifth wheel is in place. (e) Make sure that the parking brakes are applied. (f) Leave the cab and inspect the locking mechanism to make sure that it is secure. (g) Fit any safety clips and connect all brake hoses and the electrical supply to the trailer. Check that they are secure. (h) Wind up any landing legs on the trailer and secure the handle.

Question 7

The key features of a well-designed site are:

Answer 7

 Suitable and sufficient traffic routes  Segregation of pedestrians and vehicles  Roadway design and construction

Question 8

Outline the main design features of a warehouse and associated traffic routes intended to reduce the risks associated with internal transport. 10 marks

Answer 8

Main design features of this warehouse and associated traffic routes include:  the provision of traffic routes with a smooth and stable surface, and of sufficient width and headroom for the types of vehicle that will use them  the elimination of sharp bends, blind corners and steep gradients, with the siting of convex mirrors on those corners that cannot be avoided  the installation of a one way system to minimise the need for reversing  the inclusion of passing places for vehicles  the introduction of speed limits and the provision of speed retarders  the provision of a good standard of lighting for the routes, and particularly for the transition areas between the inside and outside of buildings  the segregation of vehicles and pedestrians, including separate access and egress, with vision panels in the access doors  the provision of clearly marked crossing places for pedestrians, and designated parking spaces for vehicles to avoid congestion  the provision of protection for racking and other vulnerable items and the use of wheel stops at loading bays and in areas where tipping is necessary  the provision of adequate ventilation to clear diesel exhaust gasses from the building.

Question 9

When selecting work vehicles account must be taken of:

Answer 9

 the working conditions  the risks to the health and safety of people using the work vehicle  any further risk posed by the use of chosen work vehicle.

Question 10

Regular inspections should be undertaken to ensure that the vehicle remains in good order. This might involve:

Answer 10

 Pre-use inspections or daily safety checks by drivers, to ensure that, for example, tyres are properly inflated, and the horn, lights and brakes work.  Regular preventive maintenance inspections being carried out, based on time or mileage, in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance.

Question 11

Safe people Employers are required to:

Answer 11

 Take account of employees’ capabilities regarding health and safety when allocating them tasks.  Give adequate training to employees to ensure health and safety (on recruitment and whenever exposed to new or increased risks).  Only permit authorised drivers to drive workplace vehicles.

Question 12

The range of hazards will be wide. The main areas to think about are

Answer 12

the driverthe vehicle the journey

Question 13

Drivers should be provided with appropriate information to help them reduce risks, for example:

Answer 13

 recommended tyre pressures  how to adjust headlamp beam to compensate for load weight  how to adjust head restraints to compensate for the effects of whiplash  action to be taken should a driver consider their vehicle to be unsafe.

Question 14

Work-related road safety can only be effectively managed if it is integrated into the general arrangements for managing health and safety at work. The main areas to be addressed are:

Answer 14

policyresponsibilityorganisationsystemsmonitoring

Question 15

Systems A range of systems will be needed to: 7

Answer 15

 Ensure the suitability of vehicles  Assess the mechanical condition of vehicles  Set a limit on the amount of driving hours  Safeguard the condition (from drugs and alcohol, for example) and health of drivers  Prevent the use of mobile phones and other in-car devices  Check all relevant documents  Train employees to drive safely and make them aware company policies and procedures.

Question 16

Outline the arrangements in a motor fleet policy that will minimise the risk to a company sales force in which the sales personnel are expected to spend around 150 days a year travelling around their respective sales areas. 10 marks

Answer 16

People, equipment and organisational issues should have been identified by a risk assessment and the subsequent arrangements made to minimise the risk of these include: Individual  Checks in place to ensure drivers are competent/capable (previous experience, references, etc.)  Training (induction and refresher) to ensure safe driving behaviours (speed limits, rest breaks, etc)  Fitness and health checks, such as general eyesight checks, or specific medicals for LGV and PCV drivers Vehicle  Selecting vehicles that are fit for the purposes of the sales force  Maintaining the vehicles in a safe and fit condition – including planned preventative maintenance, ensuring drivers are trained to carry out basic safety checks (e.g. tyre tread) on a regular basis. Organisation Having relevant procedural systems in place, such as:  incident reporting  emergency procedures  journey planning, etc.