Workplace transport safety

Proper planning significantly reduces the risk from vehicle movements. This applies to traffic routes within buildings and yards as much as to roads.

Assessing and controlling these risks is an essential part of your health and safety risk assessment.

You should:

• Reassess your work practices to reduce vehicle movements within your premises by re-siting operations or installing equipment such as conveyors.
• Plan safe traffic routes, avoiding any danger areas. Risks can be reduced with speed limits and one-way systems.
• Ensure that loads are safely secured.
• Make sure route surfaces are constructed of suitable material and properly drained. Avoid steep slopes.
• Provide separate routes for pedestrians where possible, and barriers or guard rails if appropriate.
• Ensure routes are clearly marked using painted lines and other devices.
• Use signposting to explain routes and warn of potential dangers.
• Provide adequate and suitable parking and loading bays. For example, these should be on level ground to reduce risks.
• Provide adequate lighting throughout, particularly in areas such as junctions and routes used by pedestrians.

Read the Health & Safety Executive guide on creating a safe workplace.

It is important to ensure that drivers follow appropriate safety policies and procedures. The driver of a vehicle should always be clearly responsible for its safety.

Make sure you consider the risks to visitors and the risks caused by visiting drivers.