by HSEI Training
Forklift accidents due to poor traffic management are an ongoing problem in North America. Despite the huge penalties that can be imposed for not implementing suitable traffic safety measures, this is still an issue that many employers are failing to address.
Below, we outline 6 steps every employer must take to identify traffic hazards in the workplace and determine what controls to put in place to manage the risks from those hazards:
Step 1: Consult your workers
When identifying traffic hazards, you should consult with:
site managers
mobile plant drivers
health and safety representatives, and
other workers who are familiar with the worksite
This will help you comply with your consultation obligations under health and safety legislation. It will also help you to acquire accurate traffic movement data, which can be useful for developing your traffic management plan.
Be sure to consult all affected workers, particularly if there are some who work different shifts.
Step 2: Identify all collision points
Map out all movement of mobile plant and vehicles inside the premises, including:
entry and exit points
the number of daily movements by mobile plant, and
pick-up and drop-off points
Then, map out pedestrians’ regular routes to identify possible collision points with mobile plant or vehicles.
Step 3: Identify the safest routes on the site plan
Determine the requirements of pedestrians, mobile plant and vehicles in your workplace. Then identify the safest routes and mark them on the site plan.
You must display your site plan in a clearly visible place.
The safest route may not be the most direct route. You will also have to account for the fact that workers may try to take shortcuts. Using physical barrier to separate mobile plant from pedestrians may help to prevent dangerous shortcuts.
Step 4: Consider the effectiveness of current controls
Consider whether the current arrangements for separating pedestrians from mobile plant and vehicles are effective, or whether better options are available.
To make this assessment, ask yourself the following questions:
How many collisions or near misses have occurred on the premises? Where did these occur?
What controls are currently in place? Are these effective at minimising the risk?
Does your workplace have an existing traffic management plan? If so, are your workers adequately trained in it?
Would upgrading the mobile plant help to reduce risks, e.g. new forklifts that allow speed limits to be controlled?
Step 5: Determine additional controls using the hierarchy of control
Once you have identified the hazards and their associated risks, use the hierarchy of control to determine appropriate risk controls. The hierarchy of control is a risk control method that sets out approaches you can use to control risks and hazards in the workplace, in order of implementation.
Elimination is the most effective control. If this is not reasonably practicable, minimize the risk as much as possible by working through the other alternatives in the hierarchy, in order of effectiveness.
Step 6: Communicate controls to workers and visitors
Communicate controls and display the new site plan in prominent locations throughout the workplace. You should require all workers and visitors to the site to comply with it.
Interested in Knowing More?
For in-depth advice about risk management, please contact one of our expert team today. https://www.hseigroup.com/contact.