Health & Safety- ManagersPlan loading and unloading to minimise work at height.
Supervise safe systems and use of access equipment. - Vehicle buyersAvoid the need to work at height by choosing ground based controls.
Insist on slip resistant surfaces. - WorkersDon't jump off vehicles. Always use steps and handholds.
Follow safe systems of work.
Report missing or damaged equipment.
Surfaces
The materials used for vehicle load beds (in rigid, curtain-sided and flatbed vehicles) generally present a low-slip risk when dry, but it is likely that they will become wet during normal use. They may then become slippery.
Tests have been carried out on a range of materials used on vehicle load areas, looking at the surface or micro roughness and slip resistance in both wet and dry conditions.
Composite resin and aggregate surfaces have been found to give good slip-resistance in both wet and dry conditions while aluminium chequer plate performs relatively poorly when wet.
Information sheets
- Preventing slips, trips and falls from vehicles: The basics
[PDF 68KB]
- Safe access to road-going vehicles: Specifying the right equipment
[PDF 70KB] - Selecting flooring materials to avoid falls from vehicles
[PDF 69KB]
Case studies
- 3663 First for Foodservice
[PDF 467KB] - Travis Perkins - building safer deliveries
[PDF 78KB]
