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SPEAKING OUT

8th November 2012
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Page 17, 8th November 2012 — SPEAKING OUT
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Liam Quinn Owner-driver, Quinn’s Transport Shipton-by-Beningbrough, Yorkshire Quinn’s speciality is bulk tipping, so he frequently finds himself delivering loose grain loads for processing. Yet many firms now ban him from climbing onto the back of the trailer to loosen wet grain that has stuck to the sides after it has been raining – in case he falls.

“We often end up finding the nearest lay-by and scraping the grain off and into a bag. Even worse, some drivers just fly tip it,” he explains. Another example, he says, is where firms bar him from opening the rear of the tipper – for safety reasons – and insist that he unloads grain or gravel by forcing it through the small vents in the tailgate.

“Some health and safety measures are excellent,” says Quinn. “Others are completely unworkable.” Chris Roe MD, Alert HGV Training Leicester Roe, like many other operators CM spoke to, fears some health and safety measures not only make the job more difficult but potentially even more dangerous. One example is loading and unloading from flat-bed trailers, which now requires the driver to wear a safety harness.

“Once they have stuck the harness on, they are very restricted in their movement,” he says. “Sometimes, they are so distracted by the harness they’re not concentrating on what they’re doing.” John Bell Transport manager, Huntapac Produce Preston, Lancashire The biggest single change in health and safety for drivers, says Bell, has been the use of seat belts. Despite initial resistance, they have proven to be a life saver. The worst thing, however, is the endless amount of risk assessments that have to be carried out for even the most menial jobs.

“They are a complete waste of time,” he says. “There are risk assessments for absolutely everything.” But his biggest complaint is that the growth of the health and safety culture means many staff no longer rely on simple common sense to stay safe.” It has taken the responsibility for common sense away from the individual,” Bell adds.

Ed Pargeter Director, EP Training Leatherhead, Surrey As an ISO-accredited organisation, Pargeter’s firm has to be able to demonstrate health and safety compliance in order to retain its approval. “It’s been positive for us,” he says.

“We’ve got much better systems in operation. The only trouble sometimes is enforcing measures because people don’t always like change. The best thing about it is if something does unfortunately go wrong, we can prove we have done the training and the assessments required of us.” Paul Arthurton Owner, Paul Arthurton Transport Norfolk Arthurton thinks health and safety “in its basic form” has made a positive contribution to the welfare of road haulage staff – whether they are drivers, warehouse staff or office workers.

Simple measures, such as wearing high-vis jackets, have made a real difference. But it’s the silly anomalies that he finds irritating.

“One factory I deliver to insists that, as soon as I drive through the gate, I have to wear a hard hat, boots and a high-vis jacket – even before I get out of the cab. Yet office staff walk a few feet from the lorries from one end of the site to another with no protective gear on. What’s the difference?” Charles Burke Owner-driver, TRS Engineering Rhondda Valley, Wales Safety standards have unquestionably improved under health and safety legislation, Burke says. The problem is it isn’t specific enough, which gives rise to some of the ludicrous interpretations of the laws and guidance.

This is made worse by the fact that the designated health and safety officer in many companies has little or no knowledge of how haulage works.

“As a result, it gets blown out of proportion. It’s left to the individual to interpret and they often err on the side of caution,” he says. “In some cases it has been taken to such an extreme that it has become a bit of a joke.” Martin Barnes Project manager, Charles Gee and Co.

East Hunstpill, Somerset Safety in the industry has definitely improved in line with legislation, says Barnes. His favourite example is the guidance drawn up for the coupling and uncoupling of trailers, which he helped to pull together. “It has stopped many people being killed by runaway trailers,” he says.

On the flip side, he shares the view of others that over-reliance on health and safety laws appears to have “removed the common sense gene” from many workers.

“Common sense should tell you that if a forklift is loaded up with pallets and you cannot see the driver, then he cannot see you. But now walkways have to be put in to reduce the risk.”

CM operators’ panel: the verdict

● Health and safety legislation has had some positive effects ● Examples include high-vis clothing and coupling/uncoupling guidance ● There has been a cultural shift in attitudes towards safety at work...

● ... but interpretation of the rules is far too varied ● The legislation needs to be more standardised and specific


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