RTC Health and Safety

Issue

Background (i.e. Why do RDAG need to consider, and what can RDAG do)

Expected outcomes (what can RDAG deliver)

Next Steps

1

Managing Health and Safety

To be progressed through the ‘Management Pledge initiative’ which FTA and RHA have agreed to take forward.

Big impact on securing strong leadership – a key to improved H&S.

FTA proposed focus group by Autumn.  RHA questionnaire to start awareness.

2

Preventing falling Loads

Follow up and closing out any of the work started or suggested by the RDAG ‘Preventing falling loads’ group

Potential changes in attitude and reduction in ‘hit by falling object’ accidents.

Continuing working group. 

3

Slips and trips

A new working group could be set up to follow up on the questionnaire work done by the RDAG slips and trips group, and to take advantage of ‘Shattered Lives’ imagery, if it becomes available.

Questionnaire should give strong steer for future work, and increase awareness of risk and solutions.

Final  meeting of existing working group in September 2009.

4

Business Case

Develop a suite of case studies for employers which show that addressing H&S issues properly helps not only the business H&S, but also their productivity and competitiveness bottom line

A stronger business case should improve uptake of H&S training, improve skills and reduce accidents.

Needs further input – to be agreed at October RDAG meeting.

5

Manual handling

The biggest cause of haulage RIDDORs.  A working group will need specific objectives to succeed, due to breadth of topic.  Previous RDAG working group planned to produce informative case studies – relevant company input would be needed. 

Case studies should raise awareness of solutions and reduce accidents.

Re-launch of manual handling group with clear scope and remit for producing case studies.

6

Pedestrian segregation

Still wide concern in the industry. Guidance is already in place, so any work like to centre on how to promote existing guidance and increase take-up of good practice.  Could include agreement on colour and meaning of line markings in yards and warehouses. 

Better pedestrian segregation and less ‘struck by’ accidents.

Needs clearer scoping at October RDAG meeting.

7

Supply Chain

Could more be done to highlight the responsibilities of companies at different stages of the supply chain, including packaging companies, consigners, loaders and receivers etc.

Major gains in safety can be achieved if all parts of the supply chain cooperate effectively.

Likely to need clearer scoping at October RDAG meeting.

8

Multi-deck trailers

Focus on safe loading and securing on multi-deck trailers, particularly curtain siders.

Significant increase in knowledge of standards and safe solutions can be gained.

Working group proposed, to meet before October RDAG.

9

Advice on tail lift delivery of pallets

Identifying existing standards and guidance, and look for improved measures which can reduce handling, falls, and falling load injuries.  Could include weight limit advice for handling pallets on tail lifts.

A common high-risk task throughout much of the industry.

Task and finish group to be set up after October RDAG meeting.

10

Worker Involvement

A key part of HSE strategy.  RDAG need to decide whether this should be a separate piece of work, or whether we build worker involvement and consultation into all the work we do.

Worker involvement has been shown to be a key factor in improving culture, getting solutions right, and reducing accidents.

Need to agree a clearer scope at the October RDAG meeting.

11

Health

Identify key health issues for the industry, and what more RDAG can do on health.

Relatively little work done on health topics by RDAG in recent years, so could be possible to identify some quick wins.

One off task and finish group could achieve this, or could be done as a University research project.   To be agreed at next full RDAG.