Keeping the transport industry safe

On-site traffic management

Safely immobilising heavy vehicles and trailers

Preventing workers falling from trucks, trailers and on-site

Safe handling when securing loads

worksafe.qld.gov.au/transport

A quick guide on common risks and ways to improve health and safety in the transport industry.

Office of Industrial Relations Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

BRAKE

Keeping the transport industry safe

Work health and safety

Each person who runs a business has a duty of care to ensure the health and safety of their workers and others.

This quick guide looks at the four leading hazards and/or activities and sources of risk which cause injuries and fatalities in the transport industry and provides suggested controls for each. Each workplace is different and the best outcomes will flow from using your own risk assessment as a starting point.

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Taking care of you and your workers

IdentifyStart by identifying the most significant hazards at your workplace and consider the risks to you and your workers. You should consult with your workers as part of this process.

ControlOnce you identify the major hazards, implement effective controls to make sure they won’t cause harm to you or your workers. Controls may include:• removing the hazard and the associated risk from

the workplace• if removal is not practical, reducing the risk by using

something safer, separating workers and others from the hazard, or redesigning plant and processes so that workers and others are not exposed to it

• implementing administrative measures to further minimise risks such as written safety procedures, training and supervision and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g. high-visibility clothing, non-slip footwear).

ConsiderationsConsider the best combination of controls which will manage risks to you and others in your workplace. The above controls provide general guidance only, and you may need to use a combination of controls and other measures to suit your workplace.

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Keeping the transport industry safe

Truck immobilisationExample risks• The driver parks the truck and gets out without engaging

the handbrake.• Repairs are being made to the truck without using

appropriate equipment to safely immobilise.

Suggested controls• Retro-fit a brake alarm to the truck to alert the driver and

others when the handbrake is not engaged.• Lock out and tag out the vehicle or equipment being

worked on and use wheel chocks.

Working under trucks or trailers Example risks• Workers are under a truck or trailer that is not

supported safely.• Barriers are not installed around the vehicle

maintenance pit.

Safely immobilising heavy vehicles and trailers

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BRAKE

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Suggested controls• Support the truck or trailer with stands correctly placed on

a hard and level surface.• Restrict access to the vehicle pit using barriers or a cover.

Coupling and decoupling trailersExample risks • Workers/drivers do not conduct a visual and functional

check after coupling the trailer.• Coupling or decoupling the trailer at night or in

dark conditions.

Suggested controls• Perform regular checks to confirm that the trailer

is coupled, such as a tug test to see if wheel jaws are engaged.

• Make sure there is sufficient light available to inspect the fifth wheel and trailer pin.

Download safety checklists, guidance and case studies from worksafe.qld.gov.au/transport

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Keeping the transport industry safe

Working on, or getting in and out of the cab of a truckExample risks • There is unsafe access to the vehicle, due to insufficient

contact points and/or use of slippery surfaces.• Workers climbing the truck or trailer to maintain/clean it or

to access tools and equipment.Suggested controls• Install non-slip footholds at correct height and large

enough for workers feet.• Relocate access to maintenance points and toolboxes and

use tools/equipment to enable cleaning from ground level.

Working, walking and climbing on a trailerExample risks • Workers climb on the trailer to place chains, webbing or

tarpaulins over the load.• Workers jump from the trailer because there is an absence

of, or poorly designed ladders or steps.

Preventing workers falling from trucks, trailers and on-site

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worksafe.qld.gov.au/transport

Suggested controls• Design or modify the trailer so that workers are able to

perform tasks from ground level.• Use mobile platforms that are maintained when performing

work at height.

Working on ground level around a vehicle or trailerExample risks • Loading areas and ramps that are contaminated with

water, diesel or mud. • Workers are using loading areas and/or ramps in

adverse conditions, such as poor lighting, glare, wind or wet weather.

Suggested controls• Regularly clean contaminants from loading areas and

ramps and consider using slip-resistant surfaces.• Install adequate lighting and protect loading areas and

ramps from the elements.

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Keeping the transport industry safe

On-site traffic management

Pedestrian and worker access to areas where mobile plant or vehicles are operatingExample risks• Pedestrians and workers are able to access areas where

mobile plant and other vehicles operate.

Organisations must develop a traffic management plan which considers all vehicle movements and pedestrian access at their workplace.Suggested controls• Physically separate pedestrian routes with overhead

walkways or solid barriers. • Isolate mobile plant and vehicles from people through:

– separate entries and exits for vehicles and pedestrians– physical isolation or separation by distance, guardrails,

safety cones or fences– gates to restrict access to areas during traffic movement – one-way drive-through systems to reduce the need

to reverse.• Further controls to minimise risk include:

– warning lights and reversing alarms on mobile plant– speed bumps.

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Keep pedestrians and vehicles apart, including on site and at entries and exits

Create dedicated loading and unloading areas

Install signage

Provide information and training to workers and visitors

Locate parking areas away from busy work zones

Ensure vehicles and pedestrians are visible to each other

Avoid the need for reversing vehicles

Develop a traffic management plan

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Keeping the transport industry safe

Handling gatesExample risks• Workers manually removing or replacing heavy and/or

awkward gates at shoulder height or above.• Workers being struck, pinned or pinched when removing

or replacing gates.Suggested controls• Use mechanical assistance to position gates, e.g. using a

forklift with workers working from the ground• Adopt alternatives to gates such as racking, chocking

or flooring.

Handling curtainsExample risks • Workers are required to use force to move curtains on

tracks or rollers due to poor lubrication or maintenance.• Workers are required to use repetitive forceful wrist/arm

exertions or awkward wrist/hand positions when securing buckles.

Safe handling when securing loads

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Suggested controls• Use an extension strap with handle, webbing and hook to

reduce force when pulling curtains.• Regularly maintain and lubricate curtain track and rollers in

accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Placing lashings and corner protectorsExample risks• Workers are required to throw chains, webbing or lashing

over the load, with workers and others at risk of being struck and injured.

• Workers are required to climb on the truck to place chains, webbing, other lashings, tarpaulins or corner protectors over the load.

Suggested controls• Work from a platform ladder or elevating work platform.• Use a system designed for a curtain-sider such as where

the webbing straps retract to the roof of the trailer.

Tensioning chains and webbingExample risks • Workers are required to use fixed lever load binders (dogs)

to tighten chains with or without using extension handles (cheater bar).

• Workers adopt awkward wrist postures to use a ratchet load tensioner for rapidly tightening or loosening chains and webbing.

Suggested controls• Use geared manual or automatic winches.• Use load blocking containment systems such as pins, pegs,

posts, racks and/or headboards.

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