Workplace transport safety An employers' guide - ARRI Lighting Rental

Health and Safety
Executive
466 Where drivers need to observe the loading, they will need to be in a safe place
to do this. This should be away from danger (for example away from moving vehicles,
or places where loads could fall) and should be clearly marked.
467 Even where drivers carry extra sets of keys, key-safe systems can help
make sure that site workers and visiting drivers communicate about when it is
safe to drive away.
468 These safeguards would be especially effective where there may be
communication problems (for example, where drivers who do not speak English are
involved).
469 Ignition controls (such as keys or fobs) should not be left in the vehicles when
they are parked.
Weighbridges
470 Weighbridges often mark the point beyond which visiting drivers are not
allowed to leave their vehicles. This is a good way of separating visiting pedestrians
from dangerous vehicle movements (segregation).
471 In older factories, the weighbridge was often placed just inside the factory gate
so that vehicles entering or leaving the site could use it.
472 When site entrances hosting weighbridges are also used by other traffic, they
can block the flow of traffic.
473 Where possible, weighbridges should be placed so that they do not block
traffic flow.
474 Visiting drivers may also need space away from the traffic flow after they have
crossed the weighbridge, to park up and check, trim and sheet their load in safety,
before leaving the site. See Site-based access to vehicles (paragraphs 498-522)
and chapter Trimming, sheeting and netting for more information on providing
facilities to help people do these tasks safely. These areas should be able to handle
the number of vehicles that need to use them.
475 The consequences of a vehicle tipping over the side of a weighbridge can be
very severe, and could be even worse if the weighbridge is ‘elevated’ (higher than
the normal driving surface). The people at risk are the driver and anyone else in, on
or around the vehicle.
476 If there are buildings close to the weighbridge, the people in the buildings
could also be at risk if a vehicle falls on the building – especially if the building is
fragile.
477 You need to take measures to prevent vehicles from falling over. Edges of
roads, loading platforms etc should be clearly marked, and prevention features that
are strong enough to withstand the force of a falling vehicle might be appropriate.
Measures to help drivers line their vehicles up properly should also help prevent
vehicles from being driven over the edge.
Hardstandings
478 Places where vehicles and their trailers park up for any reason should be
‘hardstanding’.
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