Page 742 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 269
13 October 2011

Autumn Driving

Please see enclosed self-explanatory safety alert issued by ExxonMobil.

It is our policy to send all company vehicle drivers on RoSPA advanced driver awareness courses, but
the ExxonMobil bulletin covers things not in the course and is a timely refresher on some other issues.

Analysis of our XmoMan safety management data indicates that in the last 12 months, Xmo vehicle
drivers have reported the following incidents:-

a) An Xmo supervisor was travelling along the A17, as he approached a bend he noticed a van on
the wrong side of the road - it was overtaking several lorries. He had to brake sharply and
swerved into a nearby lay-by, managing to stop safely.

b) An Xmo crew travelling along the M5 were unable to avoid an accident when a sheet of metal
blew off a passing lorry. The metal hit and shattered the windscreen of the Xmo vehicle, the two
engineers were covered in glass, but although the metal came through the windscreen they were
unhurt.

c) Whilst on route to site, the Xmo crew was following a tipper style van along a dual
carriageway. The van was loaded full of scrap, and unexpectedly a stainless steel kitchen sink
flew off the top of the load. Fortunately, the crew was able to swerve into the off side lane to
avoid a collision.

d) An Xmo driver was driving in in heavy rain with poor visibility on the A1M near Scotch
Corner. Another vehicle pulled out of a slip road across both lanes, missing the Xmo vehicle.
The other vehicle then attempted to make a U turn which he overshot and mounted the grass
verge. The vehicle then re-joined the outside lane causing the Xmo driver to swerve to avoid a
collision.

These near misses highlight the reason why it is important to stay alert whilst driving, not get distracted
by mobile phones, or to drive whilst tired.

Risk management is a big step towards accident prevention; however, it is dependent on the risk firstly
being identified, then controlled. We need safety awareness to be instinctive and form an integral part
of both our working and home lives; it is this, in turn, that may save the lives of others. Remember: if
shared, risks can be mitigated before they pose a threat.

If you have any queries regarding the Safety Bulletin content or require further information please
contact any staff member of Xmo Strata Ltd.