The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) Major Hazards and Transport Team (MHT) is set to increase the number of inspections of companies working in the haulage and logistics sectors.
The visits form part of the ‘Drive Danger Out’ campaign, a wider workplace transport inspection programme across all industries announced by HSENI earlier in September.
HSENI Principal Inspector Kellie McNamara MHT said: “Working with the haulage and logistics sectors we aim to reduce the many incidents we see every year, such as plant and vehicle collisions and overturns, workers suffering crush injuries from collisions and falls, and injuries resulting from unsecured items falling from vehicles.”
Under health and safety legislation, employers are required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees and persons not in their employment as far as is reasonably practicable.
Kellie McNamara added: “Employers must assess all risks to their employees and visitors to their sites from workplace transport activities and take appropriate steps to protect them from the risk of injury.
“Employers must also provide employees with suitable information, instruction and training.”
Until the end of March 2024, HSENI Inspectors will be conducting a focused program of site inspections to assess how workplace transport activities are being managed. Inspectors will provide information and advice on maintaining safe sites, vehicles, and drivers.
Where significant risks are found Inspectors may be required to take enforcement action to achieve compliance with health and safety legislation to ensure that the risks are adequately managed and reduced as far as is reasonably practicable.
