Dear members,

I am looking for some advice with regards to cab passengers in our HGV's incl. children.

It was brought to my attention that some of our HGV / skip lorry drivers were taking their kids to work during their summer holidays as they could not find or afford a childminder. Before I speak to drivers I would like to hear from you.

 There are hazards present to name a few:

• distractions e.g. talking to passengers, upsetting driver, etc.;
• silica dust, noise, bacteria – especially for vulnerable person;
• Distract the operator or unintentionally operate controls, e.g. the parking brake or hydraulics, when the operator leaves the cab, e.g. to open a gate;
• fall from the vehicle while accessing or egressing the truck;
• Come in contact with bacteria (e.g. leptospirosis, etc.);
• Do not understand the hazards (poor hazard perception) – common knowledge, industry knowledge, expert knowledge – test;
• Decreasing performance of the driver (toilet breaks, distractions, chat, supervision, etc.);
• Collision with other vehicles / mobile plant;

Also, I think our insurers would not be happy to see anyone under 18 on the premises unless in safe zone – can vehicle cab be treated as safe zone, if we look at some of the above hazards?

 I sourced the regulations and there is no specific law restricting passenger’s incl. children to travel with the driver. There are specific laws applying to agriculture vehicles but thats not applicable to HGVs.

 The law says you have to use an age-appropriate safety seat and it has to be buckled up and to deactivate the air bag or push the seat back as far as possible.

 I will be very grateful for your opinion and suggestions.

Thank you in advance and best regards,

Kris

Not a new issue many years ago we regularly saw "companions" during the summer months

At that particular employment there was a caveat in our site insurance obliging us not to have under 16's on the premises due to the various risks from site activity

Initially we accomodated such attendance by having the companion remain in the public security reception but when it started to turn in to a creche for lorry drivers policy changed and a communication was sent to suppliers that companions were not permitted on the premises.

It may be worth a straw poll with your customers to find if they have similar objection

Not a completely unusual situation.

If the company knows that it is happening it will have gained some responsibility under the 'vicarious liability' laws. case law; http://www.straffordkent....uk/vicarious-liability/ - other xases will come up on a search. Whilst they may not be 'helping' during the working day, if the children are injured the company would be held responsible.

Indeed, but I think your real problem will be policing any policy. I sugget a short and sharp communication stating it is not acceptable under any circumstances for....I would not use most of the issues you have highlighted in your original posting because they are not particularly robust arguments in my opinion - just saying.