Posted By Steve Sedgwick Ian You are right in that need to work on the back of trailers cannot be removed; there are some tasks that have to be done by drivers and others. Working on the back of a trailer is a very very high risk operation which does appear to get over looked and very much under estimated. We should assess each task that is done on the back of the trailer and ensure that that task cannot be done from ground level. There will be a number of tasks that can be done from the ground, which your drivers currently climb on to the trailer for. You could also consider the installation of "docks" these give the driver an easy access and a good safe place of work when on the back of his trailer. But we must remember that lorries are usually transporting "multi drop" loads ie in several different locations and we are not in the perfect world where every drop off or loading point at each customers premises will have a perfect dock loading facility. There appears to be very little HSE guidance for the Road Haulage industry. I will send you the Driver Health & Safety Induction that I introduced following a fatal accident where a driver fell off the side of his trailer. regards Steve

Posted By Mark Frith Hi Steve, You couldn't send me a copy of that as well could you? Thanks Mark

Posted By Ian Proudfoot It does appear that there is not a great deal of info about this whole subject. I have recently started a working group with members of our company to look at this issue. I asked them to give me reasons as to why drivers would have a need to go onto the backs of trailers. We have come up with 3 reasons where we believe that it is unavoidable. Our next stage is to therefore come up with a safe system of work for these activities. My knowledge on this subject is quite vast, it seems that when a driver does fall, they break a bone or two. If others in the industry believe that we should commit to a forum for best practice, I am more than willing to attend and offer my experience and knowledge.

Posted By Steve Sedgwick Apologies for the delay in responding to e-mails and posted requests but my pc crashed on Sunday and just got back on line without any files or programs. I will have to reload all these from work when I get back week after next.(Can I ask Ian to forward the induction back me to then I can answer my e-mail request earlier. Ian will you send it along to those who have posted a request on the forum) NB I recall a request from IOSH I believe several months ago to start a Specialist group to look at road transport safety but there was very little interest at the time. regards Steve