Reduce loading bay risks with FTA seminars
August 11th 2009 Over 15 per cent of all transport related accidents in the workplace can be accounted for by loading and unloading, in some sectors this figure is nearer to 30 per cent making it the single highest risk for many businesses. This is particularly the case for small businesses where they generally deal with low risk activity and often they do not see loading and unloading as their responsibility. Of course, the process itself is unavoidable so it is up to companies to try to mitigate against these risks as much as possible.
Investigation analysis shows that a lack of thought and concentration is the root cause for most of these accidents – the most common, almost 40 per cent, characterised by drivers falling from their own vehicles – making the solution largely one of process either through educating workers of existing safety processes or implementing one in the first instance. Shockingly, (or perhaps not) in many instances where an accident has occurred it later transpires that there was no risk assessment in place.
Whatever the reasons, there are some practical steps to improve safety through training, technical solutions and operational procedures, that needn't be cost prohibitive. The Freight Transport Association will be running its series of Transport Manager seminars from September until December where, among other topics, a Health and Safety enforcement officer will describe the HSE's new awareness and enforcement campaign targeted at reducing accidents in loading bays. For more information or to book a place at one of 12 venues across the UK call 08717 11 22 22, visit www.fta.co.uk/services/conferences-and-events/ or email events@fta.co.uk
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