Roadside recovery/repair
This page contains advice on some of the health and safety issues associated
with the roadside recovery and repair of motor vehicles.
Road traffic incidents (RTIs) and work-related safety
People at work on the roadside either recovering or repairing motor vehicles,
including tyre and windscreen replacement, are at risk from other road users.
As many RTIs are not reportable
to the HSE, the exact number killed or injured is not known but it is estimated
that there could be up to 10 deaths from this cause every year. See advice
for HSE inspectors on risks and precautions [PDF 104kb] 
.
Protection of workers and members of the public from traffic risks on public
roads is mostly a matter for road traffic law, which is enforced by the
Police and other Agencies. However, existing health and safety legislation
requires employers and self-employed persons to protect workers and safeguard
others put at risk by their work activities. For example –
- safe systems of work should be devised to ensure the safety of workers
and the occupants of vehicles being recovered/repaired
- vehicles and/or attachments eg winches, cranes etc may be subject to
health and safety legislation, particularly those parts not covered by
MOT examinations
Essential precautions
Ensure that –
- all risks, particularly from other road users, have been properly assessed
and safe systems for working at the roadside prepared
- vehicles and equipment of an appropriate standard are provided and maintained
- appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) eg high visibility/weatherproof
clothing; footwear; gloves, is provided and used
- employees have been adequately trained by a competent trainer to work
safely at the roadside and to advise the occupants of casualty vehicles
on the precautions they should be taking.
Training
There are a number of trade associations within the breakdown and recovery
industry which may be able to advise on the availability of suitable training
courses, including -
Available guidance
The British Standards Institute
(BSI) has published a number of priced documents containing guidelines on
both the standard of training and equipment specifications. For example
-
- BS7121-12:1999 Safe use of cranes Part 12: Recovery vehicles and equipment-Code
of Practice. Contains guidelines and recommendations for ensuring the
health and safety of people at work and members of the public during recovery
operations.
- BS7901:2002 Specification for recovery vehicles and vehicle recovery
equipment. Specifies performance requirements for recovery equipment for
moving casualty vehicles during breakdown or recovery activities.
- PAS43:2002 Safe working of vehicle breakdown and recovery operators:
Management system specification.
The Institute of Vehicle Recovery
(IVR) has published a series of videos to help train roadside technicians,
including
- Life on the edge 6. Roadside Technicians: It’s your call. This
deals specifically with the safety of people involved in roadside recovery
operations. (Available from the Tel: 01895 436426 Email:mail@theIVR.com.)
Further references – HSE free leaflets
