The issue of truck driver and other personnel safety around mobile plant equipment during loading and unloading operations – referred to as ‘loading, unloading exclusion zones’ (LUEZ) is one of the significant safety issues confronting all levels of Industries within the supply chain.
Workplace safety incidents within the supply chain involving the injury of truck drivers and other persons by mobile plant equipment during loading and unloading are a recurring theme in all jurisdictions in Australia. In many cases injuries sustained by truck drivers and other persons in LUEZ incidents are severe, and in all cases where LUEZ incidents or near misses occur, there is a high potential for severe injury.
Of all mobile plant equipment forklifts represent the most significant materials handling equipment in the workplace. While fatalities resulting from the interaction of forklifts and pedestrians have reduced over the last decade, there continues to be an unacceptably high incident of injury.
The safety of drivers and other people in the vicinity of powered mobile plant and equipment during loading and unloading activities is a major concern across the supply chain.
The aim of this guide is to share “best practice” material in order to reduce / eliminate the potential for injuries where equipment and people interaction occurs.
This guidance material has been developed by the Industry LUEZ Committee to assist employers, drivers, forklift / materials handling operators, supervisors, managers, health and safety representatives, and others to implement effective controls to prevent drivers and other people being injured during the loading and unloading of vehicles across a range of circumstances. It reflects the outcomes of engagement within workplaces across the supply chain in identifying the ‘do’s’ and ‘do not’s’ of effective separation of people and equipment in respect to loading/unloading activities.