Vehicle Safety on Construction Sites – a brief guide

By Mohd Fairuz Ab Rahman, Mohd Fiqri Mohd Hanafi & Mohamad Syamir Senin

Introduction

1. Accidents involving vehicles at construction sites have been occurring frequently lately and every year. In 2019, a total of 27 workers were killed in vehicle-related accidents at construction sites.Twelve of them are general workers, while five are drivers.

Figure 1. In 2019, vehicle-related accidents accounted for the second highest number of fatal accidents involving construction workers.

2. The main cause of death is workers being crushed or hit by vehicles or falling from them. The main type of vehicle involved in fatal accidents is lorries (8).

3. This guide is aimed at managers and drivers to help them reduce the likelihood of vehicle-related accidents. Employers have a legal duty to ensure the safety and health of their employees, contractors and the public are not exposed to risks arising from their operations.

4. Employees and self-employed persons have a duty to ensure the safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their work.

5. Vehicle safety includes vehicles used on site and vehicles parked on public roads adjacent to the site for loading and unloading purposes.

Vehicle safety management at construction sites

6. Vehicle safety management requires risk assessment. Risk assessment should take into account three main points, namely:

• safe sites (design and activities);
• safe vehicles; and
• safe driver.

Safe site – design

Isolation

• Provide separate traffic routes for workers and vehicles
• If complete isolation is not possible, clearly mark the route of worker and vehicle traffic using barriers and signs.
• Provide separate entry and exit routes for employees and vehicles

Traffic routes, including temporary traffic routes

• Ensure that the width of the road is sufficient for the safe operation of vehicles.
• Ensure the road surface is suitable for workers and vehicles
• If possible, use one-way lanes to reduce vehicle back-ups.
• Avoid steep slopes
• Avoid sharp turns and blind corners
• Maintain a clear path
• Maintain the path properly

Visibility

• Provide sufficient visibility to allow drivers to see hazards, and workers to see vehicles.
• Install mirrors at sharp corners and blind corners

Velocity

• Enforce appropriate speed limits.
• For example, low speed limits where there are workers or the road is shared with other vehicles

Signboards, signals and markers

• Use the same signs as those used on public roads.
• Place signs in appropriate places and keep them clean.
• If driving at night is required, use illuminated and reflective signs.

Lighting

• Provide appropriate and sufficient lighting especially where workers and vehicles pass and loading/unloading work is carried out.

Safe site – activities

Retreat

• Clearly mark designated areas for retreat.
• Install equipment on vehicles that assist drivers and workers, for example, reversing alarms, flashing beacons and distance sensing devices

Signal Marker

• Appoint a flag guard to assist drivers, especially when reversing.

Parking

• Provide designated areas for vehicles to load and unload
• Drivers must ensure that the vehicle is braked, the engine is turned off and the keys are kept

Loading and unloading

• Provide information regarding the nature of the load and how it should be loaded, secured and unloaded properly.
• Provide a loading and unloading area that is not disturbed by traffic and uninvolved workers
• Do this on a flat surface and not near electrical cables or pipes.
• Ensure the driver is always in a safe place when loading and unloading

Figure 2. Lorry drivers are often exposed to vehicle-related hazards.

Seesaw

• Make sure the jump is done on a flat surface.
• Use tire guards
• Make sure there are no workers in the swing area.

Reverse

• Use a suitable vehicle
• Consider limiting operating speeds based on surface, gradient and route characteristics

Shared premises

• Employers, employees and self-employed people sharing a construction site should work together and communicate with each other.
• The main contractor must take responsibility for coordinating safety and health measures

Safe vehicle

• Use a vehicle that is appropriate for the purpose, taking into account the working conditions.
• Install warning devices
• Make sure the driver can see clearly around his vehicle

Maintenance

• Maintain the vehicle in good condition to ensure it remains mechanically safe and any devices function properly.
• Carry out regular maintenance checks
• Provide daily checks for drivers

Safe driver

Competence

• Ensure drivers receive appropriate information, instructions and training related to the vehicle they are using

Fitness to handle

• Make sure the driver is fit to drive. For example, refer to http://www.myhealth.gov.my/ for a suitable level of vision for driving

References

Workplace transport safety: A brief guide INDG199(rev2). www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg199.htm.

Guidelines for Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry (Dredging Work) 2017