Preventing workers falling from trucks
Falls from trucks are a serious risk for workers. The film shows how, with the right controls in place it can reduce the risk of a fall for your workers.
Download a copy of this film (ZIP/MP4, 208 MB)
On Screen Text: Preventing workers falling from trucks
Voice over: Over the last ten years, 12 workers have died and around 3000 have been seriously injured because they have fallen from a truck.
Falls from trucks are a serious risk for workers in the transport industry but they can be prevented with the right controls in place.
Effective controls will depend on the design of the truck and the workers' tasks.
SCREEN GRAPHICS
Identify and assess the risks
Voice over: First, talk to your workers to identify where and which risks of falls they are exposed to.
Toolbox meetings are one way for supervisors and workers to discuss the risk of falls as well as other health and safety issues.
- discuss the conditions they work in
- ask them what they think could go wrong
- keep a record of the meeting and any suggested solutions.
SCREEN GRAPHICS
Consider the truck's design
Voice over: Physical features of your trucks, such as non-slip surfaces, LED lights and properly positioned grab handles can make a big difference to the risk of a fall.
To ensure your trucks are fit for purpose ask yourself these questions:
- Can changes be made to loading, unloading or maintenance tasks to keep workers on the ground?
- Can workers enter and exit the cabin and trailer areas safely by using foot and hand holds with three points of contact?
- Do walking surfaces, ladders and foot-holds have a non-slip grip for wet weather conditions?
- Are the truck's maintenance points, tools, toolboxes and fuel fill-up points easy to access from a sturdy ladder, steps or the ground?
Is there enough light, even at night, for workers to clearly see the steps and hand-holds?
SCREEN GRAPHICS
Design safe work systems
Voice over: Design tasks with safety in mind:
- Make sure your workers have adequate rest periods and are given time to complete jobs safely. Unrealistic delivery timeframes or rosters can lead to fatigue, stress, distraction and inattention, all of which add to the risk of an injury.
Poor load distribution or load securing may force your drivers to climb onto the trailer en-route to their delivery point to re-secure or adjust the load. Establish procedures that ensure loads are properly packed, secured and inspected prior to trucks setting out.
Falls from trucks are a serious risk for your workers. Keep your workers safe and consult with them to identify ways to manage the risks.
Work safe. Home safe.
SCREEN GRAPHIC
Safety tips include:
- consult with your workers to identify the risks
- make your trucks fit for purpose
- design reasonable work schedules and rosters
- review your procedures for packing and securing loads.
RUN TIME: 2 min 59 sec