Workplace Transport Guidance

INTRODUCTION

The movement of vehicles within premises can involve the use of a wide range of vehicles e.g. lorries, vans and cars all of which need to be controlled and safety measures enforced by management. The following guidance gives information on the controls generally required for ensuring the safety of traffic and segregation of pedestrians from traffic routes.

MAIN HAZARDS

Contact with moving vehicles.

CONTROL MEASURES SUMMARY

Design and Layout

The workplace roadways must be wide enough for the safe movement of the largest vehicle permitted on site. Account also needs to be taken of the size and length of hauliers vehicles coming onto the premises which may be larger than company vehicles.
Site conditions must take account of the maximum number of vehicles using the premises.
All vehicles entering the site must observe the established speed limits. Signs relating to the internal speed limits should be displayed on entry to the site.
As applicable to the premise layout and operations a one way system should be in place.
The roadway system needs to be reviewed by management to identify blind corners and sharp bends. Where these cannot be eliminated warning signs, traffic calming (speed bumps) or suitably placed mirrors need to be used to reduce the danger and risk.
As applicable to the site conditions and layout clear direction signs to show vehicle drivers the routes to respective areas should be installed.

Pedestrians

Where appropriate to the operations and site conditions, management need to review and introduce additional controls for the protection of pedestrians either moving between areas or involved with loading/unloading activities. Consideration should be given to the following:

Providing specific routes and road crossing places for pedestrians.
Guardrails or barriers at doorway entrances/exits or corners to prevent persons walking into the direct path of traffic.
Restriction of vehicle movement during certain times when pedestrian traffic will be at a maximum i.e. lunch, shift changeover and finishing times.
Siting of car parking areas away from direct traffic routes in and out of the premises.
The provision of separate traffic and pedestrian doors where vehicles and persons are entering in and out of production/process areas.

Roadways

All roadways must be maintained to provide an even level surface as far as is reasonably practicable and cleaned on a regular basis to remove spillage.
During adverse weather conditions as necessary arrangements should be made for wetting, gritting or snow clearing to reduce dust levels and maintain safe access and exit.
All roads need to be adequately lit with emphasis being made to:-

road junctions
near buildings and plant/process areas
pedestrian routes
areas where there is regular movement of vehicles/mobile equipment around the premise.

Storage Areas

Where respective premises have specific hazardous storage areas these need protection from vehicle contact through the provision of adequate impact barriers.

TRAINING

All Company drivers and employees need to be informed on the safety controls relating to movement of traffic within their place of work and the facility afforded for segregating pedestrians from the general traffic routes.

Contract and external vehicle drivers through the issue of a safety instruction leaflet should also be made aware of the general safety rules relating to vehicle movement and speed controls whilst on the premises.

For additional information please contact the Croner Consulting (formerly IRPC) telephone helpline.