HSE warns on site safety • The Health and Safety
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Executive is threatening to prosecute companies which don't do enough to prevent transport-related accidents at work.
The warning comes as the HSE joins forces with local authority safety inspectors to launch a three-year enforcement plan aimed at preventing transport accidents—the second main cause of death in the workplace.
Publicity campaigns and inspector visits—announced and surprise—will tell employers to introduce a range of measures such as: • Minimising the need for reversing; • Making sure that only authorised people operate vehicles; • Ensuring that vehicles are well maintained.
If the HSE believes companies are not doing enough, statutory enforcement notices will be handed out and prosecutions could follow if offenders fail to comply.
The Health and Safety Commission has also published a consultation document on proposals to require employers involved in the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail to appoint vocationallyqualified safety advisers. The closing date for comments is 3 July 1998.
Contact 0171 717 6201.