Workplace Transport Risk Assessment FAQs

There are several common risks when loading/unloading vehicles. The most significant include the risk of falling from height e.g. from loading bays, or tail lifts. This risk can be coupled with falling objects if a load becomes insecure and falls. Being struck by other vehicles is a risk if traffic is not managed appropriately.

Manual handling can pose a significant loading/unloading risk, with workers at risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries if the activity is repetitive, loads are bulky, or mechanical lifting aids are not available.

Hazards that threaten the safety of employees and passers-by include:

• Moving vehicles, especially when reversing.
• Objects falling from vehicles.
• Vehicles overturning due to uneven terrain, overloading, or improper operation.
• People falling from vehicles when loading or unloading.
• Non-compliance with site rules e.g. speed limits, following designated walkways.

Workplace transport risk assessments, robust safety procedures, appropriate safety equipment, training and monitoring are crucial for minimising risks.

Most workplace transport accidents happen because vehicles and pedestrians aren’t properly separated.

If pedestrians and vehicles must interact then the ideal separation control is a physical barrier, although clearly demarcated lines may be sufficient.

In January 2023, Kingsland Drinks was fined £800k when John Fitzpatrick, a 59-year-old from Oldham, was struck and killed by a forklift truck while he waited for his trailer to be loaded.  The court found that, amongst other failures, there was no vehicle and pedestrian segregation in the loading area.

Transportation risks are managed through:

• Risk assessments. Identify potential hazards such as vehicle movements, pedestrian interactions, loading and unloading areas and the condition of vehicles. Consider weather conditions and traffic variations. Determine what measures are required to reduce the risk.
• Safety measures. Once risks are identified, implement safety measures and procedures. This may include traffic management plans, designated pedestrian walkways, and speed limits. Provide training for vehicle operators and encourage the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Continuous monitoring and improvement. No system is effective without checking it is operating as expected. Encourage a culture of safety where employees report near misses, incidents or potential hazards. Identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Regularly review protocols to address changing or emerging risks and industry best practices.

Risk in transportation refers to the potential for accidents or incidents during the movement of people, vehicles, or goods. These risks encompass various hazards including vehicle collisions, injuries to drivers or passengers, property damage, cargo loss or damage and harm to pedestrians.

Effective risk management involves identifying and assessing these potential risks, implementing safety measures and protocols and continuously monitoring and mitigating risks.

A transport risk assessment is a process used to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks associated with the transportation of goods. This includes analysing potential hazards during loading, transit, and unloading to ensure the safety of workers, goods, and the public.

For more information, please see our article, What is a workplace transport risk assessment?

Transport hazards depend on the mode of transport, the nature of the cargo and the conditions under which transportation occurs.

Hazards can include:

• Collisions which can result in injuries, fatalities and damage to vehicles and cargo.
• Spillages or leaks which can result in exposure to hazardous substances.
• Fire and explosion hazards when materials are not properly stored, secured, or handled.
• Overturning vehicles due to improper loading or securing of cargo.
• Mechanical failures including brakes and tyre blowouts.
• Human factors such as driver fatigue or distraction.
• Accidents due to poorly maintained roads or inadequate signage.

Risks associated with moving heavy equipment include musculoskeletal injuries, crush or pinch injuries, falls, struck-by incidents and equipment malfunctions.

To mitigate risks, employers must first assess the risks and provide employees with comprehensive training, emphasising the importance of proper lifting techniques, and provide mechanical aids like cranes, pump trucks, or forklifts when necessary. Adequate personal protective equipment should be provided, and strict safety protocols enforced.

Work equipment should be subject to a maintenance schedule and inspected to prevent malfunctions and ensure safe operation.

One of the most common hazards related to vehicles and mobile plant in the workplace is the risk of accidents from collisions or strikes. Vehicles may collide with each other, with stationary objects or with pedestrians. Collisions and strikes can result in injuries, fatalities, and damage to vehicle and property.

Inadequate visibility, excessive speed, lack of training, inadequate traffic management or distracted or tired operators are the most common causes of accidents.

A transport risk assessment should cover:

• Identification of potential hazards during loading, transit, and unloading.
• Evaluation of risks to workers, goods, and the public.
• Mitigation measures, such as equipment checks, route planning, and staff training.
• Specific considerations for hazardous materials or high-value items.

A risk assessment helps transport companies by:

• Improving safety for drivers, workers, and the public.
• Reducing accidents and operational downtime.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

Protecting assets, including vehicles and goods.

UK regulations include the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and specific rules for the transportation of dangerous goods, such as ADR regulations for road transport.

Pedestrian and vehicle routes should be designed to minimise interaction and reduce the risk of collisions, as part of a workplace transport risk assessment under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Good design principles include:

• Physical segregation wherever possible (e.g. barriers, guardrails, kerbs).
• Clearly marked walkways and vehicle routes using durable line markings.
• Safe, designated crossing points with good visibility.
• Adequate lighting for all routes.
• Sufficient width and turning space for vehicles.
• Avoiding blind corners or installing mirrors where visibility is limited.
• Separate access points for pedestrians and vehicles where practicable.

Route design should consider site layout, traffic volume, vehicle types and peak operating times. Effective segregation and clear traffic flow are key to preventing workplace transport incidents.

Workplace transport signage must clearly warn, instruct and inform drivers and pedestrians of site-specific hazards and rules.

Under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, safety signs must be used where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means.

Workplace transport signs should:

• Follow recognised road-style formats (e.g. speed limits, stop signs, warning triangles) so they are instantly understood.
• Be clear, visible and positioned appropriately, particularly at entrances, junctions and crossings.
• Indicate speed limits, one-way systems, pedestrian routes, height restrictions and hazard warnings.
• Be maintained so they remain legible and unobstructed.

Signage should support (not replace) physical control measures such as barriers, segregation and traffic management systems identified in the risk assessment.

Workplace transport involves vehicles operating on private work sites, such as warehouses, factories or construction sites. It is regulated mainly under health and safety law, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Public road use relates to vehicles driven on roads to which the public have access and is governed by road traffic law.

Even if a vehicle is road-legal, employers must separately assess and manage the risks when it is used within the workplace.

A traffic management plan is a documented system that sets out how vehicles and pedestrians will move safely around a workplace.

It is developed following a workplace transport risk assessment and supports compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

A plan may include:

• Designated vehicle and pedestrian routes
• Segregation measures and barriers
• One-way systems and speed limits
• Loading and unloading areas
• Signage and markings
• Procedures for visitors and contractors

The purpose of a traffic management plan is to reduce the risk of collisions, protect pedestrians and ensure safe vehicle operation across the site.

Yes. Employers must assess and manage the risks to anyone affected by their work activities, including visiting drivers, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Visiting drivers, such as couriers, contractors or suppliers, may be unfamiliar with site rules and hazards. Your workplace transport risk assessment should therefore consider:

• How visiting drivers are informed of site rules and traffic routes
• Where they should park, wait, load or unload
• How pedestrian and vehicle interaction is controlled
• Supervision arrangements during loading or unloading

Clear signage, induction briefings and controlled access arrangements help reduce the risk of incidents involving visitors.