IMPROVING VISIBILITY FOR PLANT OPERATORS

The HSE report that “there are 25 fatal injuries each year on average, and hundreds of non-fatal injuries to workers [in Great Britain] as a result of being struck by moving vehicles in the workplace” and “Restricted operator visibility is often identified as a contributing factor in these accidents”.

As part of the process of reducing these accidents the HSE recently carried out research to develop a risk-based method to determine ‘visibility risk zones’ for various types of plant. This research considered potential “blind spots” and different types of visual aids that could be used to combat them. Methods reviewed included the use of cameras and mirrors and the correct positioning of these aids.

The research covered earth moving machinery, large frame rigid dumper trucks and hydraulic excavators. Reports detailing the findings and recommendations of the research have now been published. These are free to download from the HSE website at:

Earth Moving Machinery RR1156- https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr1156.htm

Hydraulic Excavator – https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr1157.htm

Large Rigid Frame Dumper Truck – https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr1158.htm

Accidents involving vehicles or mobile plant moving in a workplace can often lead to serious or even fatal injury and it is important that suitable measures are in place to manage these risks and segregate vehicles, mobile plant and pedestrians.

Please speak to your normal PIB Risk Management contact or get in touch using [email protected]  if you would like to arrange an assessment of your workplace transport risk or if you would like assistance with managing these risks.