LTB 132/23 – Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 011 – HGV Driving Safety – Tail-Lift Down/Open Position Drive Off
No. 132/2023
30 May 2023
Our Ref: V4/23
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY23 011 – HGV Driving Safety – Tail-Lift Down/Open Position Drive Off:
Introduction, Background and Description:
Royal Mail Group’s Safety Team have issued RMG SHE Safety Flash FY23 011 following a number of vehicle ‘drive-offs’ being reported in various locations. Amongst them, an incident occurred in which a Royal Mail HGV driver failed to follow the Safe System of Work and Operating Instruction by driving off from a loading dock without closing the vehicle’s Tail-Lift Platform. This could have caused a serious incident in the yard and had the driver taken the vehicle out onto the public highway with the tail-lift platform still in the open and down position this would have created a serious risk of collision damage injury and death.
The Health and Safety Executive reports 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.
Impact/Injuries:
By good fortune the driver was alerted to the situation and stopped. Consequently, there were no injuries and 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 (e.g. follow traffic light system, return keys to loading bay supervisor etc.).
- DO NOT drive away until it is certain that loading activity has been completed.
- Ensure that vehicles are secured with doors closed and tail lifts are raised and stowed before moving.
- Many Royal Mail vehicles do have an immobiliser that prevents the vehicle starting if the tail lift is deployed. Drivers should check this is working and report any faults via a PMT1 ‘Defect Report’ to ensure it receives attention by the RM Fleet Workshop.
- Do not use the Tail-Lift without adequate safety and operator training.
- Improper use of the Tail-Lift will put the driver/operator and other people at great risk of bodily injury and death.
- If in doubt don’t operate a Tail-Lift. – Speak to your Advanced Driver Coach or CWU Rep if you are unsure.
Managers/PiCs –
- When performing First Class Safety Conversations in yards, observe employees working safely around MGV & HGVs. 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).
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 011 – HGV Driving Safety – Tail-Lift Down/Open Position Drive Off:
- Loading & Unloading Large Vehicles (Royal Mail Operations) SSOW v1.7.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Att: SHE Flash FY23 011 – Taillift Down Driveoff
Att: Loading Unloading Large Vehicles (Royal Mail Operations) SSOW v1.7