The Health and Safety Executive and Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) have come together in a joint effort to promote safe loading of heavy material on vehicles. Unsafe and insecure loads on vehicles cause a number of injuries and deaths across the
A load safety campaign is being conducted by HSE in the next few weeks. During this period, spot checks will be carried out on vehicles chosen at random. If any vehicle is found carrying a load which is not secured or restrained properly, the driver / business owner will be fined or the vehicle may even be ordered off the road.
The check will be conducted by HSE inspectors aided by VOSA officials and will take place in the North-West region at many points over a period of eight days. Loads of the stopped vehicles will be inspected and deemed safe or unsafe. A similar campaign was conducted last April and about 80% of the loads examined were found unsafe.
The load safety campaign is being undertaken to reduce the risks arising from these unsafe practices. HSE reports show that about 1200 people are injured every year due to unsafe loads on vehicles and damages to goods cause millions of pounds of loss to businesses. About one in every five workplace transport mishaps occurs during loading and unloading.
The campaign will also aim to educate and guide hauliers and transport managers in loading and unloading safety. More information can be found at the official website www.hse.gov.uk/loadsafety. The campaign will also receive publicity via radio and trade press advertisements.
Speaking about the initiative, VOSA’s R & D Manager, John Fitch, said that it is necessary to educate and train members of the haulage industry about the need for proper loading practices.
Staff and management must be fully aware of and comply with health and safety regulations. The NEBOSH General Certificate is a course which can assist companies in training staff to be aware of the proper health and safety procedures within their organisations health and safety management system, and make sure they are fully aware of the most up-to-date requirements.
