Driver Behaviour...
Working at Height
This months focus is on Working at Height. We have had two recent incidents of Drivers falling from the back of their trailers.
Fortunately they were not seriously hurt.
Why do drivers climb on loads and climb up the sides of trailers, exposing themselves to risk of a fall and injury?
Falls from trailers remain one of the greatest sources of driver injuries. Drivers must be aware that every time they are working on a trailer with an exposed or open edge, they are at risk of a fall.
Guiding Principles
- Avoid working at height
- Avoid getting on the trailer if possible
- Do not work next to an 'open edge'
- Do a 2 Minute Risk Assessment
- Can it be done from the ground?
- Use Fall Protection Systems
- Fixed / Mobile Platforms
- Mobile steps (not ladders)
- Fall arrest systems, Soft landing bags / Air bags
- Wear correct Personal Protective Equipment (Chin Strap)
- Never step backwards
- Walk and look forward, Look where you are stepping
- Always keep your head above your shoulders
- Never JUMP!
Sleeping on site
May we remind drivers that sleeping on site at any Tata site is not allowed under any circumstances.
Children in Cabs
We have had a recent series of incidents with drivers bringing children onto site.
Children and animals are strictly forbidden on any Tata site.
Any driver arriving at site with children will be turned away.
There is also no point to the driver arriving for a second time without the child as we all know the child has been left somewhere which is obviously completely unacceptable.
Removing tilt boards
The issue of removing tilt boards safely is one we and Tata have been debating for a few weeks now.
Current practice seems to be drivers using another board or roof pole to knock the top boards out of their holders and jump out of the way of the falling board.
Stocksbridge Tata personnel have developed a prototype pole/"grabber" to assist with this operation and to try and eliminate the risk of drivers being hit by the falling boards. We are looking to see if we can turn this into a workable solution.
However, we are completely open to suggestions so if anyone knows of or already has a safe process to remove tilt boards then we would love to hear of it - email tatasafety@pofm.com
