Workspace transport safety

Transport safety in the workplace should never be underestimated. Whatever your company’s reliance on workplace transport, following the latest safety advice and complying with all the necessary legislation is the key to protecting workers at all levels as well as individuals visiting your site.

The importance of transport safety

Off the back of Christmas, there is one industry in particular that shines the spotlight on the importance of vehicle and transport safety in the modern-day workplace.

The logistics sector will no doubt be enjoying a well-earned rest after all the seasonal chaos. But, preventing the fatal and major injuries that are sustained every year within the industry should remain a top priority. During 2023/24, 25 logistics workers were killed after being struck by moving vehicles.

The vehicle safety fatalities continue…

The logistics sector isn’t the only industry to make the news for workplace transport safety. A whopping £1.28 million fine was issued to a food manufacturing company recently following an incident involving a moving vehicle. Unfortunately, a worker was struck and killed by a lorry as it reversed into a loading bay.

Preventing workplace transport accidents

There are many ways you can take matters into your own hands, and prevent accidents and fatalities caused by moving vehicles in your workplace.

Assessing risk is the first step to managing vehicle and driver safety, with the movements and interactions of traffic and pedestrians during workplace transport activities key areas of analysis. With this information, you can plan and implement strategies that reduce contact, and keep sites, vehicles, drivers and pedestrians safe.

Improving site and vehicle safety

From one-way systems to separate routes for pedestrians and vehicles, there are several measures that can be introduced to boost safety on site.

The Highway Code should be used to set rules and develop appropriate signage, especially when it comes to vehicle routes, site speed limits and the use of pedestrian crossings. Lighting should also be adequate, and road surfaces maintained to a high standard.

The vehicles used on site should be fit for purpose too. It is your responsibility to ensure all vehicles are in good repair. Rollover protective structures and seat belts should also be fitted where necessary.

On sites where lift trucks are in use, the right level of training should be provided to lift truck operators. Operators should be reassessed regularly – every 3 to 5 years as a rule of thumb – and training refreshed.