​1 Separation of Vehicles and Pedestrians

A key principle for safely managing Workplace Transport risk is to separate pedestrians from vehicles where ever possible.

Where staff are not engaged in vehicle activities, or where visitors may have access to STFC sites, they should as far as possible, be kept away from workplace vehicle routes and loading, unloading and parking areas.  Safe routes for car drivers should be provided and clearly signposted.  Lift trucks are especially dangerous to pedestrians, and as far as possible they should be kept apart. If lift trucks have to operate in common areas, a safe system of work should be developed, and its operation monitored.

Consider what kind of vehicles move around the site, including less-common vehicles (such as emergency services) and how much room they need to move safely.  Then do what is practicable to keep vehicles in their areas, and pedestrians clear of them.

Segregation of persons from vehicles should ideally be achieved by the use of physical segregation, such as barriers or footbridges. Where this is not possible, clearly marked pedestrian walkways should be installed.

2 Vehicle Activities

Visiting Drivers

Visiting drivers should be told the layout of the workplace, the route they need to take, and relevant safe working practices (e.g. for parking and unloading), as they may not have visited the site before.  Foreign drivers may have different visibility from their cabs (if their vehicles are left-hand drive).  They may be unfamiliar with UK signs or speed limits.  It may be helpful to provide instructions in other languages.  Make sure all visiting drivers report on their arrival and receive instructions about the site layout and rules.  If visiting drivers are unfamiliar with English, provide basic safety information in languages they use.

Loading and Unloading

Loading and unloading can be dangerous.  Loading and unloading areas should be clear of other traffic, pedestrians and people not involved in loading or unloading.  Ensure the vehicles and trailers have their brakes applied and all stabilisers properly positioned, before beginning loading or unloading. Where loading or unloading involves working at height, SHE Code 9 – Working at Height should be followed (see also specific information on ‘falls from vehicles’ from the HSE).

Where loading and unloading has to take place outside any designated area, this should be kept to a minimum and the vehicle moved to a designated parking area as soon as possible.

There must be safeguards against drivers accidentally driving away before any delivery is complete.  Measures could include:

• Traffic lights;
• The use of vehicle or trailer restraints; or
• Vehicle keys or paperwork can be held by the person in charge of loading or unloading until it is safe for the vehicle to be moved.

These safeguards would be especially effective where communication problems could arise, e.g. where drivers do not have English as their first language.

Vehicle Movements

As far as possible, all vehicles which are routinely used on site should be designed with a number of safeguards to reduce the risk of collisions.  These should include side-mounted and rear-view mirrors attached to the outside of vehicles to provide the best all-round visibility, or even CCTV, to eliminate blind spots during reversing and reversing alarms.

A one way system can assist with reducing the risk of collision from vehicle movement.

Reversing manoeuvres can be particularly hazardous and should be minimised where possible.

Where reversing is necessary, a clearly identifiable ‘reversing area’ should be identified and non-essential staff kept clear as far as possible.  Where necessary, a ‘Banksman’ (signaller) should be used to assist reversing vehicles.  This person should be adequately trained and wear appropriate high visibility clothing.

Other Vehicle Related Activities

Lorry drivers may undertake other activities such as coupling and uncoupling, sheeting and tipping.  Drivers require training to undertake such work safely.  The audit checklist included in HSG 136 Workplace transport safety: an employers’ guide provides further guidance.

Where cranes and mobile platforms are driving around site, particular care should be taken to ensure that the appendages to such vehicles, for example crane’s hook, are safely stowed/attached.

Fork Lift Trucks (FLTs) and Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs)

Safety controls associated with the management and operation of FLTs and MEWPs are detailed in SHE Code 4: Safety and safe use of work equipment.

Battery Operated Buggies

The STFC own and employ a number of electric ‘golf-buggy’ type vehicles for use on site, particularly those undertaking deliveries, etc.  These can be relatively silent and accelerate quickly. Both drivers and pedestrians should be aware of this when moving around site.

Such vehicles should be equipped with a flashing light and horn to warn of their approach and be fitted with the standard vehicle indicators required by the Highway Code to indicate braking, reversing and turning.

Bicycles​

The STFC sites are of such a size that STFC own and employ a number of bicycles, and staff cycle to work and cycle around the site.  While this mode of transport is to be encouraged, it is important that cyclists, drivers and pedestrians are vigilant and follow the Highway Code.

3. Designing Traffic Routes

General Principles

Every workplace traffic route must be constructed so that the driving surface is suitable for the purpose for which it is used.  The build quality of outdoor traffic routes should be similar to that required for public highways.  General principles for safe traffic routes are:

• They should be wide enough for the safe movement of the largest vehicle permitted to use them (including visiting vehicles, especially emergency service vehicles);
• Routes should also be wide enough to allow traffic to pass oncoming or parked vehicles where these are permitted;
• They should take vehicle height into account.  Potentially dangerous obstructions, such as overhead electric cables, or pipes containing hazardous chemicals need to be protected using ‘goal posts’, height gauge posts or barriers;
• They should be planned to give the safest routes.  Try to avoid routes that pass close to such things as unprotected fuel or chemical tanks or pipelines, unprotected road edges, loading bays, or anything that is likely to collapse or be left in a dangerous state if hit by a vehicle;
• They should avoid sharp or blind bends; and
• They should avoid underground ducts and drains which might collapse under vehicles.

Pedestrian-operated equipment such as pallet handlers and stackers should be taken into account when planning traffic routes.

Allowance should be made for bicycles which are used widely on site.  Where possible, cycle lanes should be present.

Vulnerable parts of the workplace (such as cast-iron columns, partitions or pipes) need to be protected from vehicles.

Traffic routs should be kept clear of obstructions.

Entrances and Gateways

Entrances and gateways need to be wide enough for your vehicles, and where possible, should be able to accommodate a second vehicle without causing a blockage.  Traffic routes must also keep vehicle routes far enough away from doors or gates used by pedestrians, or from pedestrian routes that lead to or from them, so that pedestrian safety is not threatened.

Visibility

Forward visibility needs to be good enough to allow drivers to see and avoid hazards.  Adequate visibility is related to vehicle speed and the distance drivers need to stop or change direction safely to avoid hazards.  Additional factors affecting visibility are available light, dust, bad weather, the height of the driver above the road and the arrangement of vehicle windows.

There should be enough visibility at junctions and bends to allow drivers and pedestrians to see on-coming traffic.  Avoid sharp or blind bends, and where they are unavoidable, consider measures such as mirrors to aid vision around corners.  When visibility at a junction cannot be improved sufficiently, stop signs or traffic signals may be appropriate.  Alternatively, consider using a one-way system.

Speed Restrictions

Limiting vehicle speed is an important part of traffic control.  The best way is to use fixed features, traffic calming features, which stop drivers travelling too quickly. Examples include speed humps or ‘sleeping policemen’ (but avoiding overturns), narrowing routes by use of bollards, raised kerbs or chicanes, and ‘rumble’ strips or areas.

However, the wrong traffic calming feature can sometimes increase risk and should be assessed and those most appropriate for the traffic using the site employed. Traffic calming measures should be clearly visible.  Many features can be lit or made reflective.  Speed humps are often used to control speed but need to be used with care as they can create hazards of their own and be a source of vibration that can affect scientific equipment.

Speed limits are also widely used, but they need to be sensible and practicable, or drivers will break them.  Speed limits need to be appropriate for the vehicles using the route, the route layout, including how tight the bends are, and visibility at junctions.  Common problems with speed limits are that they are inappropriate, poorly signed, or not enforced.

Pedestrian Routes

The most effective way of protecting pedestrians is to provide separate routes away from vehicles.  Good examples of complete segregation include footbridges and subways.  Protective barriers clearly marked pedestrian and vehicle routes, and raised kerbs can all help.  Building entrances should have separate doorways for vehicles and pedestrians, with vision panels on all doors.  Barriers or guard rails may be useful at building entrances and exits, at corners, and to prevent pedestrians walking straight onto roads.

Where pedestrian and vehicle routes cross, well-marked and signposted crossing points should be provided.  Use dropped kerbs where the walkway is raised above the driving surface.  Provide barriers, rails or deterrent paving to direct pedestrians to designated crossing points.

Signage and Markings

The law requires that road signs used to warn or inform traffic workplaces should be the same as those used on public roads, wherever a suitable sign exists.  Road signs are set out in the Highway Code. Use route markings to indicate traffic lanes, route edges, priority at junctions, stop lines, pedestrian crossings and so on, and to instruct drivers (e.g. ‘SLOW’).  Use warning signs to indicate hazards along the way.  Traffic lights, speed sensors and flashing warning signs can be used to control traffic flow and speed.

White road markings should be used to regulate traffic flow, and yellow ones parking, using the same types of marking as on public roads.  Markings can be made reflective for improved visibility.  Place signs so that people have time to see them, and take appropriate action before they reach the hazard.  All signs and markings should be clearly understandable, be easily noticed, clean and well-maintained, so that they are visible at all times.  Where overhead clearance is limited, consider the use of warning signs.  Reflective (and preferably illuminated) signs should be used when they have to be visible in darkness.

Lighting

Every workplace must have suitable and sufficient lighting.  Roads, manoeuvring areas, junctions, pedestrian routes and areas, and places where there is regular movement of vehicles or mobile plant all need particular attention.

Where drivers have to reverse towards strong lights, take care that the lights are not placed so that they dazzle the driver, either directly or through mirrors.  Measures may be needed to avoid sudden changes in lighting levels, e.g. when moving from a dark warehouse to bright daylight.

Height Restrictions

Where there is a height restriction such as a pipe-bridge, height limiting signs should be clearly visible.  If considered necessary, a robust ‘goal-post’ should be in place to protect a vulnerable overhead installation, such as a gas pipe.

Car Parking

Carelessly parked vehicles can create a risk of injury and can obstruct access by emergency vehicles. Such parking may also obstruct emergency exists, for example for those in wheelchairs.  Vehicles should only be parked in dedicated or marked parking areas.  Pedestrian areas and walkways between car parks and offices should be clearly marked, kept in good repair and (as far as possible) segregated from vehicle routes.  Parking areas should be level, firm, well lit, well drained and clearly marked where appropriate.

4. Safe Vehicles

Suitability

All vehicles must be safe and suitable for the work they are being used for.  This should include having suitable and effective service and parking brakes, suitable external mirrors and additional aids (e.g. CCTV), where necessary, to provide visibility when manoeuvring.  Motorised vehicles should also have horns, lights, reflectors, head lights, braking lights, reversing lights and turning indicators. Any load should be safe and secure.

Further details of vehicle design features are included in the audit checklist included in HSG 136 Workplace transport safety: an employers’ guide (PDF - link opens in a new window).

Inspection and Maintenance

STFC drivers must carry out a number of basic safety checks before using motorised vehicles or on a routine basis.  These will vary from vehicle to vehicle but may include:

• Tyres and tyre pressures;
• Brakes;
• Fuel, water and oil levels;
• Any hydraulic lifting systems;
• Audible warning signals;
• Lights;
• Mirrors; and
• Operator restraints.

There must be a regular preventive maintenance programme for each vehicle, carried out at set times or mileages.

For certain vehicles such as FLTs, MEWPs and Cranes, there are statutory inspection requirements under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, (LOLER), see SHE Code 26: Safe use of lifting equipment and lifting accessories.

5. Safe Drivers

All drivers of road vehicles on STFC sites must be in possession of a valid UK driving license or recognised equivalent.

Drivers of FLTs and other specialist vehicles must have a relevant licence and current medical, see SHE Code 4: Safety and Safe use of work equipment.

STFC staff driving any road vehicles or FLTs and other specialist vehicles must be in possession of a current STFC ‘Permit to Drive’ (link opens in a new window).

All persons who regularly drive vehicles around the site (other than to and from work), should receive basic instruction regarding site driving rules, such as correct routes and speed limits.

Managers and supervisors must set a good example by following any workplace transport rules, and challenge and investigate unsafe behaviour; for example, by following instructions to separate vehicles and pedestrians, and by wearing high-visibility clothing where needed.

Work patterns should be monitored to ensure that drivers are not rushing to complete their work on time, or working long hours.

Cyclists using STFC bicycles, and staff cycling to and from work, should adopt the following precautions:

• Only follow permitted routes and dismount when going through pedestrian areas;
• Cycle at an appropriate speed for the surroundings, obeying the site speed limits;
• Ensure that the bicycle is in good working order, e.g. tyres inflated, brakes effective;
• Ensure that good quality lights are used during times of poor visibility together with high-visibility clothing; and
• The use of cycle helmets is recommended.