Page 344 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 152

S Martin – 27 August 2009

Vehicle Loading Incident

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) delivered a warning this year for employers to ensure
that loads on vehicles are properly restrained following the death of an HGV driver.

According to information released by the HSE on 29 January 2009, the driver was killed when
material he was transporting shifted in transit and “punched through the back of the cab,
pinning him between his seat and the steering wheel”. Please see link below for further
details (web version only).

hwww.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/coinw03609.htm

A lesson to us all

This incident highlights the need to load vehicles properly and safely and for you to consider
“what’s the worst thing that can happen?” as part of your last minute risk assessment before
driving a loaded vehicle.

Our vans are used to transport mobile scaffold towers, barriers, tools and sometimes sign
components or complete signs, and if they are not tethered or loaded properly, any of these
can become potentially lethal in the event of an emergency stop or collision.

In addition to the hazards identified above, load distribution and tyre-wear can also affect
vehicle stability when cornering.

For those of you who have attended the first of the Hearts and Minds courses, think about
accident liability and the potential repercussions.

Please think before you drive and consider the consequences for you, your family, your
colleagues and your employer; we all want you to return home unhurt every day!

If you have any questions regarding the safe loading of vehicles, or feel that you need a
revision of training in this area, please speak to your supervisor or call the office on 0845
2300 460.