Hi experts a number of employees have been seen with children in vehicle cabs whilst on company locations. I have informed my manager that it invalids insurance etc and is unsafe. Has anyone got any example cases were someone's child etc has been injured to show it happens. I am wanting it band as it will not be long before a child gets run over when they go to the toilet etc unsupervised. The factory iis not an environment for children. The problem is the boss does not want to upset the drivers as we can't find enough of them! I need to highlight the risk more effectively, then I have done as much as I can.

Are you sure that carrying a passenger invalidates insurance? I have encountered situations where employers have banned passengers from company vehicles because the insurance provider does not want to be responsible for payouts to injured parties but have never heard of insurance becoming invalid. A large number of HGVs carry children during the school holidays, in fact around half the drivers I encounter (long distance) have a dog or a partner as a companion on certain routes. Why not insist that the passenger is accompanied to the toilet on your premises or must stay in the cab at all times.

Thanks guys I might back off on this one then. Ensure it's managed sensible and leave it at that, but I am sure I reminder some case about a milk float or something.

Whilst I don't think it invalidates your insurance (though always wise to check) I personally would go for a blanket ban on children in cabs. Not only is there the risk of children being hurt in the yard areas but also a bored child left in the cab alone can cause all sorts of problems playing with handbrakes etc mimicking daddy. Workplaces are generally not for children. Lorries and transport yards are no different. In agriculture children under 13 are banned from even being a passenger on all self propelled machinery (including tractors) as the accident history is too high. Personally I'd apply that to all work vehicles carrying out work activity. I'm not normally known for taking a hard line but on this one I do take a hard line. I've advised a customer the same recently when they asked about their drivers taking kids in cabs during school holidays. Get childcare, it's work not a creche.