Steering vehicle management in the right direction
September 1st 2006 The HSE's Route Map offers guidance for safer operation of workplace transport.
Scafftag is able to aid attaining the standards laid out in the Route Map.
In the UK, deaths involving vehicles in the workplace are second only to deaths caused by falls from height. In 2005, 60 workers were killed and 1850 more were seriously injured as a result of incidents involving workplace vehicles.
It is therefore a welcome step that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Council (HSC) have announced plans to develop management standards for the safe operation of workplace transport.
The plans involve putting together an outline of latest legislation, guidance, and good working practice in one document called the Route Map.
Over the summer the HSE has held information events about the Route Map and is inviting comment on its proposals.
The Route Map aims to be clear guidance on driver skill and management and will include summary details of good management standards addressing four specific areas: Vehicle Selection and Maintenance Personnel, including training Management Responsibilities , such as the need for risk assessments, and leadership and support for health and safety on site.
Scafftag systems can play an important role in achieving these standards, particularly on point two for vehicle maintenance, and point four, for risk assessment.
Taking the common example of forklift trucks, Forkliftag instantly visually identifies the status of a forklift truck and instills a pre-shift operator inspection and maintenance routine. Major companies who have adopted this system include Anheuser-Busch, Chevron Phillips, BOC, Cadbury, Sainsbury, British Energy Group and Unilever.
The robust Forkliftag holder is attached permanently onto the vehicle in a prominent position. The Forkliftag insert contains an easy-to-follow checklist to be completed daily by the first user or at the start of each shift, dependent upon how the site operates. Should there be any query about the status of the vehicle, or if any element fails inspection, the shift manager is alerted and the insert is simply removed, instantly displaying the Do Not Use prohibition notice.
Scafftag can provide a complete solution for any type of industrial vehicle including forklift trucks, mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), cranes, dumpers, bobcats, bikes, golf carts, bulldozers, lorries to name but a few. All of the systems can be customised, so specific items and inspection data can be catered for, and company branding can be included if desired.
As well as pre-shift inspections carried out by forklift operators, periodic, comprehensive inservice inspections should also be conducted and recorded.
Forkliftag is compatible with the computerized Safetrak system which uses a hand-held digital device to record inspection data, which can then be downloaded to a desk top computer for instant access to full inspection reports. The system helps to eliminate paperwork and maximise efficiency, and the purpose designed module for forklift truck inspections is particularly useful for the management of forklift fleets. As with all Safetrak modules, it can be totally customised for client needs.
For a paper based alternative, The Black Book contains step-by-step guidance on safety and maintenance requirements and all the necessary documents you need to set up your own inspection management system. The Black Book includes the key steps in carrying out a risk assessment including an easy to follow example. All inspection documents within The Black Book come in duplicate carbon copy paper, allowing separate copies to be kept by the inspector and by the client. The easy to carry protective binder is designed for ease of use out on site and permanent record storage.
Scafftag also have a free Forklift Inspection poster* available, which provides a quick reference guide for crucial safety and maintenance requirements.
For more information on the Scafftag range of vehicle status tagging solutions and for your free poster* use the enquiry bar below:
For further HSE advice on workplace transport and information on the Route Map and how you can contribute your comments, visit
http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport *One free poster per person, subject to availability. More articles from Scafftag Limited: | 
