17 January 2006 - HSE Workplace Transport Campaign

17 January 2006 - HSE Workplace Transport Campaign:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a Workplace Transport Campaign yesterday, Monday 16 January 2006, in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire areas, aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries involving workplace vehicles.

Figures show that approximately 60 people each year in the UK are killed and 1,850 are seriously injured involving vehicles at workplaces. These incidents occur often when deliveries and pick-ups are being made.

The North West alone saw 6 deaths and 221 serious injuries last year from workplace vehicles.

The HSE say the monetary cost and organisation to companies of putting safety measures in place is minimal, with the cost in human lives and injuries hugely beneficial.

A simple cost comparison example, made by David Sowerby, Head of Operations for HSE in the North West was made in his comment:

'In situations like these, just £100 could save a life. That's how much it costs to buy a couple of tins of fluorescent paint to yellow-line your parking area, put up an outside light or buy high visibility jackets to help your staff be seen by drivers.

'We really want to get across to drivers and site managers that it does not take a lot of effort to make workers' jobs safer and easier and help cut incidents.'

The campaign began yesterday, (Monday, 16 January 2006), in local radio and evening papers, encouraging site owners and managers to look at the dangers within their sites and ultimately taking simple steps which could make them safer.

The HSE have provided an excellent webpage full of useful advice and information on Workplace Transport Safety which can be accessed by clicking the following:

HSE - Campaigns: Workplace Transport

Also available from the HSE webpages is an updated Vehicles at Work, which can be accessed by clicking the following:

HSE - Vehicles at work

Article by Alexandra Johnston