Posted By Andrew Campbell
What is the current best practice within the haulage industry with regards to tanker top access.

Is the dual use of ladders / side impact barriers or ladders and rear bumper, considered as being modern best practice.

Posted By garyh
There are still a lot of tankers, especially "top loaders" with only single or double handrails.

Best practice is obviously

- stay on the ground ("bottom loading / unloading")
- if on top - fixed platforms then
- handrails on 4 sides
- handrails on 1/2 sides (pref with fall arrest)
etc.

In addition tankers with full grating rather than a catwalk are desirable.

In practice, on old tankers and old loading platforms this can be very tricky.

My own company together with our main haulier have a 5 year improvement plan agreed with HSE.

The main problem is probaly with "Isotanks" which often have poor fall prevention equipment and access.

Posted By chris oliver
The RHA agreed a stratergy wth the HSE some 5 years ago, the basis of which seems to be that all vehicles would be fitted with double sided handrails where approriate. this is on the RHA web site. interestingly a company was recently threatened with a prohibition notice beause its fleet (small as is was) did not have this safety equipment installed. luckily thay did have a programm of work for retro -fitting the vehicles, so the threat was withdrawn. I have been looking at vehicles on the road and can see no evidence of this handrail safety being introduced. a further example of the left hand not knowing.