LTB 140/23 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 012 – HGV Driving Safety – Loading Bay ‘Red Light’ Drive Off
No. 140/2023
2 June 2023
Our Ref: V4/23
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 012 – HGV Driving Safety – Loading Bay ‘Red Light’ Drive Off:
Introduction, Background and Description:
Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued RMG SHE Safety Flash FY23 012 following a number of vehicle ‘drive-offs’ being reported in various locations. Amongst them, another incident occurred in which a Royal Mail HGV driver failed to follow the Safe System of Work and Operating Instructions. The driver arrived at Southampton Mail Centre to collect a load of York Containers. On arrival he entered the building with the Motive Unit vehicle keys. The keys were not hung on the loading dock/bay door as the key hook had been broken off and not replaced. Instead the driver retained the keys and went off on a break. When the driver returned to the vehicle he entered the cab, started the engine and drove off from a loading dock without checking that trailer loading had been completed and that the trailer doors were closed. The driver additionally drove off the loading dock whilst the ‘Red Light’ was still showing. Additionally, the hook within the trailer, used to hang loose straps on was broken and a loose strap from within the trailer was left outside of the trailer attached to a full York Container by the side of the loading dock door. When the vehicle and trailer drove off, the York was dragged forward, tipping over and crashing to the floor.
The Health and Safety Executive report that every year, there are over 5000 accidents involving transport in the workplace/yards. About 50 of these result in people being killed. The two main causes of injury are people falling off vehicles, or being struck or crushed by moving vehicles or loads.
Impact/Injuries:
By good fortune alone, this incident ended as a ‘near-miss’ and there were no injuries to employees. Had there been staff on the dock and in the trailer at the time, a serious injury could have resulted. A ‘near-miss’ was recorded.
Key Messages, Learning Points and Drivers and PiC/Managers Actions:
Drivers –
- Always follow the process for loading bay management identified in yard safety rules.
- Always follow traffic light systems and do not drive away until it is certain that loading activity has been completed.
- Do not depart on a ‘Red Light’.
- If the Loading Bay has no ‘Key Hook Box’ report this to the loading bay manager and either leave the keys with the manager or Traffic Office or move to another loading dock/bay.
- Ensure that vehicles are secured with doors closed before moving off.
- Report faults via a PMT1 ‘Defect Report’ to ensure it receives attention by the RM Fleet Workshop.
- Missing, broken trailer strap hooks should be reported and repaired/replaced.
- Load restraining straps should always remain inside the vehicle/trailer. Never hook straps to York Containers that are outside the trailer.
- Drivers must complete the appropriate checks of trailers / rear of vehicles and ensure the dock leveller is retracted and vehicle and loading dock doors are closed prior to departing. Never assume loading has been completed.
Managers/PiCs –
- When performing First Class Safety Conversations in yards, observe employees working safely around vehicles and trailers. Have conversations regarding good and bad practice.
- Make sure employees are annually briefed on the yard rules, the yard safety awareness video, Loading & Unloading Large Vehicles (Royal Mail Operations) SSOW v1.7.pdf (royalmailgroup.com).
- Agency staff need to be briefed on the site rules, SSoWs and collecting trailers, including any lock out procedure, i.e., keys hooked onto the roller door until vehicle and trailer is safe to go.
- Visiting drivers must be directed to the local manager before collecting trailers.
- PIC to review current vehicle key control procedures to ensure they are robust.
- PiC to review the key hooks on site, are they screwed into the bay doors, secure and maintained.
- Check all bays have key hooks at a minimum during bi-monthly unit safety inspections.
- Include correct vehicle control procedures being followed and check straps are not used or hung incorrectly/unsafely during first class safety conversations.
- Ensure the site has understood rules governing the safe movement of trailers to prevent drive-aways.
- PIC to ensure site and yard rules are communicated to all users including visiting drivers on arrival. Rules should also be clearly displayed in key locations.
CWU ASR/WSR Action:
- WSRs/ASRs please ensure that this Safety Flash is communicated and brought to the attention of all appropriate members/drivers and that actions above are deployed by PiCs/Managers.
- ASRs to concentrate attention to this matter during Workplace Safety Inspections and where necessary ensure a review of the SSoW deployment and monitoring.
Attachments:
- Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 012 – HGV Driving Safety – Loading Bay ‘Red Light’ Drive Off.
- Loading & Unloading Large Vehicles (Royal Mail Operations) SSOW v1.7.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
SHE Flash FY23 012 – Loading Bay Drive Off
Loading Unloading Large Vehicles (Royal Mail Operations) SSOW v1.7