Safety campaign targets workplace vehicle deaths

Health and safety inspectors are beginning a blitz on sloppy practices in workplaces where vans, trucks, forklifts and other vehicles are essential to the job.

The two-week campaign by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) comes as latest figures confirm that vehicle-related accidents are the most common cause of workplace deaths.

Almost half (45%) of all reported work-related deaths over the last six years involved accidents with vehicles. Last year alone, 18 people died in a vehicle- related incident.

Deirdre Sinnott, senior inspector with the HSA, said the majority of the accidents happened during routine tasks. “The majority of vehicle-related deaths at work occurred during low-speed manoeuvring, reversing or coupling and uncoupling of vehicles,” she said.

Inspectors will target transport and logistics companies, manufacturing premises, waste and recycling facilities and distribution and warehousing centres over the fortnight. But they are also urging all similar employers to review their safety protocols.

“It is vital that procedures are developed and put in place to eliminate and control known risks associated with workplace vehicles. Once these written procedures are in place they should be communicated to all employees, contractors and visiting drivers in the workplace,” Ms Sinnott said.

Analysis of the 11 vehicle-related deaths that took place in the first six months of 2018 shows the lives were lost in agriculture, manufacturing, construction and wholesale. Tractors and trailers were the main vehicles involved but tankers, forklifts and construction vehicles also featured.

Previous analysis, covering the years 2009-2013, showed there were 4,944 reported accidents involving vehicles and 99 deaths. Cork had the highest number of deaths with 15.

The top causes of death were being hit or run over by a vehicle or being crushed between it and an object. The vehicle was reversing in 17% of cases and undergoing maintenance in 10%.

Most at risk were the 55-64 age group, who made up 26% of all fatalities, and self-employed people who accounted for 35%. The vast majority of deaths, 78%, happened in small and micro businesses and 12% of those who died were non-workers.

Ms Sinnott said the aim of the campaign was to help employers. “Our inspectors will provide lots of information and guidance to help employers reduce the likelihood of an incident involving vehicles in their business,” she said.

Free online courses for employers are also available at hsalearning.ie.