Posted By Ron Impey Has anyone issued guidance to their drivers on how to help avoid whiplash injuries if involved in a car accident? Does your organisation take into account the recent report on car seats when choosing company cars? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4012459.stm I'd also be interested in feedback on policies regarding the carrying of loads within cars.

Posted By Ron Impey Hi Simon, I've e-mailed some posters I've produced on the prevention of whiplash to drivers. I contacted both the Department for Transport and the HSE regarding the securing of loads carried within the passenger area of cars. The HSE advised that the matter should be included in the risk assessment. It is unlikely that the RA would not identify a need for the load to be properly restrained. The dft also said that the load must be properly restrained. It is stated in the Highway Code that ‘You must secure your load’ http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/05.shtml#74 and in their code of practice ‘Safety of Loads on Vehicles’ at: http://myweb.tiscali.co....e/POWERPOINT/consult.pdf This states on pages 17/18: 'Bulkheads on small closed vans Where ever possible, cargo should be carried separately from passengers. In the case of closed vans where the cab is an integral part of the body, a bulkhead must be fitted, between the load compartment and the cab. Such a bulkhead should afford adequate protection to cab personnel and should be designed to resist a uniformly distributed horizontal force of at least 0.5 x the weight of the load. It should also be noted that when an estate car is used to transport goods, these too should have a bulkhead fitted to protect front seat personnel. If a bulkhead is not fitted then the load must be suitably restrained to prevent any forward movement.' Regards, Ron