Posted By Andy Petrie
A friend has asked me to carry out a Risk Assessment for the drivers at a road haulage firm.

As this is not my area of expertise I was wondering if anyone could give me a few pointers.

Thanks

Andy

Posted By Allan St.John Holt
Yes! Don't do things that aren't within your area of expertise! Even for friends. People will be relying on what you do, and will happily ignore any provisos you insert.

On this topic there's a lot of HSE info, by the way.

Allan

Posted By Andy Petrie
You have taken my 'not in my area of expertise' comment in the wrong context.

It is something I have done in the (not too distant) past and something I feel more than capable of doing. I was simply after some pointers to save my time researching issues.

Posted By Karen Todd
Hello Andy,

I have listed a few here:

Slips, trips, falls - getting in and out of lorry, climbing up and down from trailer, etc.
Dangerous goods?
Security/stability of load.
Moving vehicles - other lorries and forklift trucks at premises, other vehicles whilst at side of road.
Hi-jacking - drivers on the continent have been gassed unconscious then robbed.
Whole body vibration.
Manual handling.

Some places that drivers deliver to try to chance their arm and tell the driver to take the forklift and unload themselves. Do not allow this.

Remember also that lorry drivers are more likely to suffer from back pain, strokes, heart attacks and can get very unfit and overweight indeed due to their poor diet and lack of exercise! They also have a lack of decent toilet and shower facilities and the limited choice of unhealthy food at services (burgers, sausage rolls) is a rip off!

As Allan has said, there is guidance available from HSE. The Department of Transport has a publication called Safety of Loads on Vehicles. The Road Haulage association has useful stuff like drivers daily lorry inspection sheets, etc.

I have e-mailed you some stuff direct.

Regards,

Karen Todd

Posted By Chris Abbott
A few other things to consider.

PPE - Where necessary (Such as cold weather condition suit, gloves, etc)
Smoking at work
Young Persons - if they accompany the driver
Mobile Phone Use

Stress - which accommodates;
Breaks (Sleeping/resting)
Working Times

These things could cause a lack of concentrations, leading to an accident or near miss.

Oh… and further driver training

Regards
Chris