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The law requires that health and safety risks at work are controlled as far as is ‘reasonably practicable’. For a control to be reasonably practicable, the cost must be sensible in proportion to the safety gain (reasonable) and it must be physically possible (practicable). Ultimately, only a court can decide whether what you did was reasonably practicable.

By law, employers have to make sure that work equipment is in good working order. This includes workplace vehicles. Vehicles should be maintained so that they remain mechanically sound. Certain equipment, such as fork-lift trucks, tail lifts and lifting slings must be thoroughly examined by a competent person and a report kept.

Deliveries and collections can be some of the most dangerous transport activities. A significant number of transport accidents in the workplace take place during deliveries.

HSE recommends that the same or higher standards be applied to workplace drivers as are applied to those allowed to drive on public roads. Every driver, and particularly younger or less experienced drivers, should be instructed to drive and work in a responsible and careful manner.

Drivers should be capable of operating the vehicle and related equipment safely, and should receive appropriate instruction and training. Employers and managers should never allow anyone who is unfit through drink or drugs to drive any vehicle.

In a recent study of deaths and injuries involving site dumpers, less than half of the employers had bothered to check the drivers’ competence. Where the workplace has contractors or visiting drivers, the site operator or principal employer should check that they are competent to carry out their duties responsibly and carefully, eg by obtaining evidence of competence from the drivers or their employers.

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