Getting it right every time

author: FutureCar Staff    

Dr Karen McDonnell, RoSPA's Occupational Health and Safety Policy Adviser and Head of RoSPA Scotland, emphasizes the significance of transporting goods safely. Occupational road safety is not limited to construction sites or depots; it starts as soon as we consider driving for work on a daily basis. The roads are a shared space where vehicles driven for work coexist with cyclists and pedestrians. While safety is a shared responsibility, drivers of vehicles transporting loads have a greater responsibility towards other road users, especially the vulnerable ones.

Understanding the layers of responsibility, both personally and organizationally, is crucial in ensuring road safety. Each driver must assess their personal fitness to drive, while businesses and organizations must make road safety-related decisions and put systems in place to check drivers, secure loads, conduct vehicle checks, plan delivery routes, and establish contingency plans. Incorrect loading can lead to spilled loads, causing delays and congestion, and posing risks to road users. Unsecured loads can shift and become difficult to unload, potentially falling on people. Insufficient time for unloading increases pressure and eliminates the opportunity to stop and think, further endangering people. Unsafe loads injure over 1,200 people annually and cost UK businesses millions of pounds in damaged goods. Proactive approaches to vehicle loading and unloading can save lives and prevent disruptions.

Getting vehicle loading right every day, following a safe systems approach, significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents. Basic principles of loading and unloading should be applied to all types of vehicles, from family cars to HGVs or LGVs, as these principles can save lives. Planning is essential for success in any safety-related task. Good safety practices include loading to bulkheads, evenly distributing the load, ensuring stability, and securing the load to the vehicle or trailer. Within the UK context, everyone in the transport chain has a responsibility when transporting goods for work. This shared responsibility extends from the person or company loading the vehicle to the vehicle operator and the drivers themselves. Road safety and OSH legislation guide businesses in ensuring the safe and legal transportation of goods.

It is important to remember that behind the statistics used to assess performance improvement are real people and families. Every casualty has their own unique story. The word "checklist" in the OSH world may have a negative connotation, but it actually serves as a reminder of the important tasks to be done and points to be considered. Health and safety, including road safety, should be seen as a business benefit rather than a burden. This includes assessing the risks of transport activities, providing appropriate equipment and training to workers, and providing information to ensure the safety of loads.

RoSPA is responsible for delivering the Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance (ScORSA), an initiative focused on those who drive or ride for work. Membership is free and open to individuals and organizations worldwide. Members have access to a webinar series, road safety podcasts, and information that helps manage driving risk.

FutureCar Staff