Page 73 - Linkline Yearbook 2018

The HSA to Focus on Vehicle Risks in 2018
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) continues to be concerned about the high level of injuries being reported as a result of unsafe practices around the use of Work-Related Vehicles.
Targeted Sectors
Work Occupations
Agriculture
Professional Drivers
Construction
Recovery Specialists
Transport and Storage
Drivers of large Vehicles
Manufacturing
Delivery Drivers
Retail and Wholesale Trade
Van Drivers
Repair of Motor Vehicles
Drivers using own vehicles for work (Grey eet)
Waste and Recycling, Public Sector, Healthcare
Motor Mechanics
In its execution of their Work-related Vehicle Safety Plan (2016 to 2018) into 2018, the Authority will be targeting:
• Work related vehicle safety issues related to
specific vehicle types,
• Specific high-risk vehicle activities,
• High risk sectors such as in agriculture,
construction, transport, retail and wholesale and
manufacturing,
• Specific work occupations,
• Common vehicle safety risks found across all
work sectors, for example, driving for work in cars and smaller vehicles such as vans and off- road vehicles.
An evidence-led case targeting high risk sectors
By the nature of their work, drivers and general operative workers can be exposed to a range of potentially hazardous activities and situations associated with large vehicles, but more particularly in transport, construction, agriculture, mining and quarries, retail and wholesale, waste and recycling and manufacturing. These hazards can be categorised as follows:
• Physical hazards associated with a range of vehicle types and work environments, such as:
1. Being hit or run over by vehicles,
2. Vehicle collisions,
3. Vehicle overturns,
4. Loads falling on/from vehicles,
5. Slips, trips and falls around, on and from vehicles.
• Ergonomic hazards, such as:
1. Lifting of packages and items during loading
and unloading activities,
2. Driving for long periods.
• Psychosocial hazards, such as:
1. Lone working,
2. Potentially harmful effects of night and shift work,
3. Dealing with customers and other road users.
• Health hazards, such as:
1. Sedentary role of professional drivers,
2. Exposure to dangerous substances and weather, 3. Lack of access to regular exercise,
4. Lack of access to healthy food options.
Based on an analysis of HSA injury data, the focus of the WRVs into 2018 will be on targeted sectors, work occupations, vehicle types and vehicle activities. These are summarised in the table below.
During the 2018 workplace inspections programme the Authority intends to conduct a minimum of 150 inspections in the Transport and Storage sector, and more particularly in the identified high risk sub-sectors of Manufacturing, Waste and Recycling and Wholesale and Retail.
Authority inspectors will be urging employers to ensure that they discharge their legal duty to employees and others in relation to safe vehicle-related operations at work. Inspectors will be looking to see that employers are developing effective and safe systems of work and carrying out thorough risk assessments of work-related vehicle activities and putting in place systems, measures and procedures to manage the risk of vehicle related injury. Deirdre Sinnott, Senior Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, said: “The purpose of this campaign of targeted inspections is to prevent avoidable harm from common accidents to workers and members of the public.”
Employers wishing to obtain practical advice and other FREE resources on work-related vehicle safety management and workplace transport safety
should visit:
www.vehiclesatwork.ie, www.drivingforwork.ie, www.hsa.ie or call 1890 289 389.
Vehicle Types
Vehicle Activities
HGV’s (rigid and articulated)
Driving for Work
Vans
Deliveries and Collections
Cars
Loading, unloading and load securing
Bus/ Minibus
Coupling and uncoupling of Trailers
Articulated Trailers
Vehicle maintenance and repair
Grey Fleet (employees own vehicles)
Reversing and slow speed maneuvers
Specialised vehicle in high risk sectors
Entering and exiting work- places and worksites
The CharTered InsTITuTe of LogIsTICs & TransporT 73
HSA