Falls from vehicles – toolbox talk for construction workers

What is this about?

• There are over 2000 ‘Falls from vehicle’ accidents reported to HSE each year
• These include on average 5 fatalities each year
• Major injuries are usually broken arms or legs, resulting in weeks off work

Construction specific info.

• In construction 70% of these accidents occur to non-drivers
• 90% are low falls, below head height
• They occur during off loading of materials or when getting on or off the vehicle
• In construction the falls mostly occur from the load area of flatbeds, HGV’s & vans

What are we looking at?

• Alternatives to working on vehicles
• Safe access to and from vehicle beds
• Safer working practices
• What the company/ies can do
• What the operative/worker can do

Work at height hierarchy

• AVOID work at height on the load area. Use automatic sheeting devices or a fork lift truck for off loading where possible.
• PREVENT anyone falling whilst working on the load area by using vehicle fitted edge protection or loading gantries for example.
• MINIMISE any injury should a fall occur by using soft landing systems, nets & airbags.

Getting on to the load area

• Only get onto the load area if no other alternative
• Always use the steps and hand-hold provided
• Do not use the “underrun bars”, these are usually set in and slipper

And so on