Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Press releases
HSE/GNN.NE/427/07 Date: 30 October 2007
Fatal injuries and accidents in the road haulage and warehousing sector have cost the UK economy between £117m and £145m over the last five years, and resulted in up to 20 deaths and more than 100,000 accidents.
The startling figures are set to be revealed at special Health and Safety Executive (HSE) presentation for transport managers and fleet engineers at a free seminar this week aimed at increasing safety in and around depots.
Topics including health and safety, driver fatigue and new legislation will be covered at the event hosted by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), at Redworth Hall Hotel, Durham on Wednesday, October 31.
HM Inspector of Health and Safety, David Cole, will be giving a presentation on Moving Goods Safely, which is the name given to the HSE programme of work designed to reduce the accidents referred to above. The underlying message is a simple one. You need a safe driver, a safe vehicle and a safe site. HSE is encouraging all members of the delivery chain to talk to each other, share information and do their bit to reduce accidents.
He said: “There has been a steady increase in the number of accidents in this sector and that needs to be stopped. By far the biggest cause of accidents is falls from vehicles. That alone results in up to five fatalities a year and up to 800 major injuries and 1,200 injuries requiring people to take more than three days off work.
“That has serious implications for the individuals concerned and their families, and is also a major cost to employers too. Taking simple precautions to prevent accidents occurring in the first place can stop the personal injuries and help improve the profitability of businesses.
Geoff Dossetter, External Affairs Director for the Freight Transport Association, said: “The Freight Transport Association has been delighted to include an important contribution to its 2007 series of Transport Manager seminars from HSE.
“Speakers from the Executive have been advising FTA delegates on important transport safety issues including falls from height, premises layout, lighting, warning signs and general safety warnings. Reaction from delegates has been very positive recognising the operational and financial benefits of efficient safety regimes as well as the obvious advantages to workers’ health.
“FTA will continue to work closely with the HSE in order to promote and advance safe working conditions.”
The delegates will also hear about driver licensing; emissions zones and measuring the carbon footprint of haulage; managing fatigue and the security and retention of haulage.
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Issued by Government News Network North East.