Workplace transport safety An employers' guide - ARRI Lighting Rental

Health and Safety
Executive
440 You may also need to provide protection against bad weather. For example,
strong winds can be very dangerous during loading. See chapters Loading and
unloading, and load safety and Preventing falls from workplace vehicles for more
information about loading conditions and practices, and preventing falls from
vehicles.
441 Dock shelters and dock houses can help to control loading and unloading
conditions. In these arrangements, a vehicle reverses directly up to an opening in
the side of the building, where a weather seal is created around the opened end of
the vehicle.
442 You should take care that these shelters do not create their own trapping or
machinery hazards. People using this equipment should be competent to do so
safely. Anything that creates a seal around the back of a goods vehicle can also
reduce the amount of communication that takes place between the delivery driver
and site workers, which can introduce additional risk. This should be recognised in
your risk assessment.
443 There is a risk that static electricity can build up where flowing solids are
released through a hose or a chute. Delivery workers could receive an electric
shock, or sparks from this electrical charge could start a fire or an explosion (for
example, in a cloud of dust or fumes). You may need to provide earthing points to
allow this charge to escape to earth safely through vehicle-mounted equipment.
444 You can find more advice about loading bay arrangements and loading areas
in general in the Freight Transport Association guide Designing for Deliveries. 8
Site-based ways to stop vehicles from moving
445 Preventing vehicles from moving during loading and unloading operations can
be important to make sure that people who might be working on or around the
vehicle are protected.
446 Preventing vehicles from moving until it is safe to do so is also important to
reduce the risk of leaks, spillages or falling loads, especially where dangerous loads
are being transferred.
447 You may need to think about ways to prevent drivers from leaving too early
– this is known as a ‘driveaway’ accident. Driveaways can have very serious
consequences, especially if lift trucks are involved.
448 Measures could include:
n vehicle or trailer restraints;
n traffic lights, barriers or other ‘stop’-type signals;
n various systems for controlling access to vehicle keys or the cab; and
n safe systems of work that make sure the driver is aware of when it is safe to
leave.
449 Vehicles can also ‘creep’ away from the edge of the loading bay as machines
handling the materials jolt the vehicle when they move between the bay platform
and the vehicle. This can cause a large gap, or can lead to a ramp suddenly
slipping from the vehicle, causing vehicles or people to fall.
450 Systems to prevent vehicles from moving can either be built into the design of
the vehicle or be site based.
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