Every year there are many deaths on the road that are in some way work-related. Driving between work sites, deliveries, driving to meetings and events and visiting customers increase risks to the driver’s health and safety. Road-going vehicles range from lorries, vans and cars to tractors, motor bikes and bicycles.
Main Points
When should you wear a hard hat?
Many road related deaths involve vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders etc. Common causes of incidents include:-
Lack of care, inexperience or lack of concentration when driving (e.g. using a mobile device)
- Collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians or objects
- Overturning
- Unstable or poorly secured loads shifting or falling from vehicles
- Poorly maintained vehicles
- Driving at an inappropriate speed for the road conditions, weather or vehicle
- Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol and/or prescribed /illegal drugs
- Lack of care, inexperience or lack of concentration when driving (e.g. using a mobile device)
Discussion Points
You can reduce the chance of an accident or ill health by following these guidelines:-
- Ensure you are authorised, trained, competent and hold a licence for the category of vehicle/combination you are intending to use (including trailed equipment).
- Inform your supervisor/manager immediately of any endorsements applied to your licence.
- Inform your supervisor/manager of any health concerns which may affect your ability to drive
- Check that your vehicle and any attachments are safe to drive on the public road – before use, check.
- Safety features such as horns, lights, indicators, reflectors, mirrors, and reversing lights are intact/working correctly. Always keep lights, reflectors and number of plates clean and clear.
- That service and parking brakes are working well and that any independent rear tractor brakes are linked.
- Tyre pressures are adequate and tyres are free from cuts, excessive wear or other faults.
- All fluid levels are within their safe limits. Make sure the correct types of oil and coolant are used
- The windscreen and windows are clean, free from cracks and chips. Check that wipers, washers and demisters are all working.
- Report any defects with the vehicle and any attachments immediately.
Ensure, before you start your journey, that you:-
- Adjust mirrors so that you can see behind the vehicle easily
- Adjust your seat so it is comfortable, you can see properly and you can reach all controls.
- Make sure seat belts work and are worn by everyone on the vehicle
- Make sure you know where all the controls are and how to use them. Take time to familiarise yourself with any vehicle new to you
- Carry suitable emergency equipment (e.g. torch, spare tyre, jack, warning triangle, toolkit, first-aid kit, high viz etc
- Ensure that you are taking a tractor or other slow moving vehicle into a public road, the flashing beacon is clearly visible to other road users.
- Remove or fold back attachments where applicable (eg telehandlers) – many accidents occur where attachments protrude beyond a junction onto a carriageway.
- Ensure any loads carried on the front of vehicles do not obstruct your vision or make the vehicle unstable.
- Plan your route carefully to avoid known difficult roads (e.g. road width and height restrictions) where possible
- Avoid rushing. Give yourself the time you need to the journey, taking account of travel time and traffic.
- Always take extra care when driving at night, in snow and ice, rain and fog or when the road conditions are poor. Cancel journeys if necessary.
