News Article

Unexpected Dismount


Posted by | Date Posted 18.10.2007 | Time Posted 03:40:36 | Views: 441

A recent accident I investigated came as a sharp reminder to us all with the new initiative from the HSE which commenced 1st October and concerns falls from vehicles.

The accident concerned happened in good conditions and early in the morning. Loading had just been completed and an employee stood on the side of the lorry to dismount. The side gate moved from the raised to the lowered position throwing the employee onto the ground.

Fortunately he only received minor injuries but it could have been fatal or caused him to be disabled for life.

Why did it happen? The sides of the lorry had been raised to the up position after loading. A task that happens many times a day. On this occasion the locking devices had not being positioned to secure the side in the up position. When the employee stood on the side it fell.

The Working at Height Regulations state you should provide safe access and egress to all areas, and all risk of harm of falls from height should be eliminated. Employers must provide suitable steps to allow their staff to get on and off safely, with measures installed which prevent the risks from falling, or preferably a new system of work created which takes away the need for persons to mount vehicles at all.

It is so easy for an activity we are so used to causing an injury.

The HSE have a web page with lots of useful information on the subject so have a look at: www.hse.gov.uk/fallsfromvehicles/index.htm or give us a call to find out more.


Published in sections: Health and Safety ::

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