Hi all

My workplace runs stately home tours, which are visited by various tour operators and coach groups.

We have a car park with a dedicated space for two coaches, which are sometimes assisted with parking by members of staff.

A member of staff has suggested that all staff who assist parking the coaches should receive banksman training. I can understand why but am not sure whether this is overkill.

The area is well lit, there are no other site activities in the immediate area except other vehicles parking, and there have never been any accidents/incidents/near-misses regarding this. The staff have been given hi-vis vests to wear when directing coaches.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Thanks both, this sounds like a proportional and sensible approach!

By far the best option is to stop people directing vehicles. It's done to reduce the likelihood of vehicle damage but results in potential fatalities of people doing the directing. I remember HSE saying this a while ago. They do have some good guidance, which to fair is not so strong on that point anymore.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/information/reversing.htm

Think of them more as 'Spotters' rather than banksmen, which in my view is not required.  

We had certain sites where we identified that a 2nd pair of eyes and ears with a hi-viz and whistle would help keep an eye out (shared spaces etc) we defined them purely as spotters who had to remain well clear of the vehicle and in constant view of the drivers mirrors. They would just alert the driver if they felt that they hadn't clocked something.  

Having a suitable workplace transport risk assessment in place with all the controls mentioned above will help put this one to bed.

Originally Posted by: Zaki Masood

The suggestion of providing banksman training for staff assisting with coach parking is an interesting one. While safety is paramount, it's important to consider the specific context. Your description of the environment—well-lit and without previous incidents—certainly affects the decision.

Exploring various training providers like HumanFocus, RoSPA, High-Speed Training, and iHASCO for Banksman Training could provide a broader understanding of available options. Evaluating the benefits of such training against the current safety measures, like hi-vis vests, could help determine the appropriate course of action.

Zaki - while new posters often have good insight to contribute im afraid you come across as a salesman. So far I have seen nothing in your posts except bland reference to regulations (which i accept has it place on occasions) and reference to training courses and the use of employing safety professionals. What exactly is your purpose in joining these forums?

Dear Zaki

I realise that you are very new to these Forums but your apparent constant conclusion that everything is down to training is inappropriate and sends a message of very poor advice.

I suggest that you research the "General Principles of Prevention" and perhaps return here to explain what their origin is and where they are enshrined in UK occupational health and safety legislation.

....or in other geographies the "hierarchy of control measures" which basically says the same thing. Training is way down the order of the hierarchy.

Then perhaps HSG136 which runs to 53 A4 pages but which only mentions the word "training" 42 times which tells you that it is not up there first and foremost - actually quite a small part of the guidance of the regulator in Great Britain whose name you should be aquainted with.

So, applying the principles set out in the "GPP", "HOCM" or HSG136 this thread starts off with the presumption of reversing coaches.

...and the first rationale question from that is "Why do you NEED to be reversing?" When a satisfactory answer is given to say that it is not "reaonably practicable" to avoid reversing, then there are MANY other issues in the hierarchy to be dealt with before there is a need to think about what special training MIGHT be needed (NOT what training providers would like to SELL).

Finally you might wish to return here to explain to the readers how you interpret the term "reaonably practicable"?

There are plenty of training products that might assist you with that particular research.

Edited by user 31 August 2023 16:12:58(UTC)  | Reason: Been to touch typing TRAINING but still make the odd typo