Workplace transport safety An employers' guide - ARRI Lighting Rental

Health and Safety
Executive
984 All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) often work in a different way to other vehicles.
Overturn risks can be different for ATVs. See our free publication Safe use of allterrain
vehicles (ATVs) in agriculture and forestry 32 for further information.
985 Our publication Safe use of work equipment 33 also provides more detailed
information about what the law says on reducing the risks to safety caused by
overturning vehicles.
986 There are other vehicle issues that can be important in preventing overturns:
n brakes need to be connected and working properly;
n if brakes are independent of one another (for example, on some tractors), they
need to be properly balanced;
n tyres should always be inflated to the correct pressure, have good tread and
generally be in good condition;
n lubricant and hydraulic fluid levels, and pneumatic pressure levels, should be
regularly monitored.
987 Under no circumstances should any vehicle be loaded beyond its capacity.
Overloaded vehicles can become unstable and difficult to steer, or be less able to
brake.
988 Loads should be evenly distributed across the vehicle and be adequately
secured. Shifting loads can make a vehicle very unstable. See chapter Trimming,
sheeting and netting for information on safety during load trimming.
989 Loads should only be carried by vehicles that are suited to the specific task.
990 See chapter Loading and unloading, and load safety for further information on
suitable vehicles and general load safety.
991 An unloaded lift truck will normally be less stable than when it is loaded.
Operators should be properly trained, informed and supervised to handle the
vehicle safely.
992 Loads should be carried in a lowered position wherever possible.
993 For spreading vehicles (for example, tractors towing spraying equipment),
remember that a load that gets lighter will mean less grip against driving surfaces.
Liquid loads are especially dangerous on sloping ground if they surge around in
their container.
Safe drivers
994 Vehicles should only be driven over surfaces they are designed to cope with.
995 Vehicles should not be used in a way that risks an overturn, whether or not an
ROPS and seat restraints are fitted.
996 Vehicles should be driven at a suitable speed for the task, load, terrain and
type of vehicle.
997 Where driving across a slope cannot be avoided, drivers should always try
to drive forwards up the slope, and should pay special attention to loose ground,
humps and so on. If the vehicle is off-balance already, a much smaller object can
overturn it.
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