An accident which resulted in serious injuries being sustained by a worker who was crushed by the truck he was working on at his work place in Katherine recently, highlights the risk of being run over, not only for employees on work sites where trucks are common, but also for the drivers themselves.
NT WorkSafe has since launched an investigation into the crushing incident. According to reports paramedics were called in to a mechanic’s workshop in Katherine after a 24 year old worker was crushed by a cement truck.
A representative from St John Ambulance, Craig Garraway said the man had been working on the vehicle when a jack gave way. The man’s co-workers were able to get the vehicle off his body quickly and perform first aid as an ambulance made its way to the work site. The man subsequently suffered serious injuries to his upper body and unsurprisingly he was unconscious when paramedics arrived.
This unfortunate incident highlighted an issue which is seldom discussed – the risk of truckies and other workers being run over or crushed by vehicles during heavy vehicle operations.
Workers in the transportation and warehousing sectors are most at risk of being run over or crushed by trucks on the job, a risk that needs to be addressed by employers if they wish to avoid getting in trouble with authorities and possibly losing a worker due to an incident.
Employers in the transport and warehousing industries need to remember that workers can be struck by or against objects when lifting hitched trailers, opening containers and attaching trailers to trucks. The objects that a worker may hit or be hit by include vehicle parts, lift-gates, winch bars, pallet jacks, boxes or cartons or binders and chains. The most common injuries caused by being hit or struck by objects are back sprains and strains that occur when boxes or cartons fall on the driver but drivers can also be struck by machinery and other trucks.
In Australia one of the major risks to truck driver safety is presented by forklifts. According to WorkSafe statistics, road accidents may be the main cause of fatalities in the road transport industry, and driver fatigue is often a factor, workers in this industry have also been killed or seriously injured while loading, checking and securing their loads. A number of drivers have been killed during loading and unloading as a result of product falling onto them or being struck by a forklift.
According to WorkSafe forklifts in the transport yard (or whatever the type of work site) pose risks for pedestrians whenever they are being used in the workplace however they can be of particular risk to truck drivers during loading and unloading. A particular area of concern is when these vehicles are reversing which increases the risk of injury.
Another cause for concern is presented during maintenance and repair of trucks, as the worker in the incident above found out. The repair and maintenance of vehicles and machinery can be extremely dangerous if not done correctly. You need to ensure that the equipment utilised (including hoists, jacks and hydraulics) are suitable for the task being undertaken and can be operated safely.
What the Law Says:
An issue particularly relevant at the moment are the links between Chain of Responsibility (COR) laws which were implemented across the heavy vehicle industry in 2003 and the more recently implemented Work Health and Safety legislation (WHS Act) that commenced in QLD, NSW, ACT, Commonwealth and NT jurisdictions in 2012 and in TAS and SA in 2013.
According to both sets of laws those responsible for the business must ensure the safety of workers performing that work. The WHS Act makes businesses responsible for the health and safety of workers they engage and those whose work they influence or direct.
The Chain of Responsibility Laws distributes responsibility across the board for members of the supply chain which is aimed at ensuring that drivers aren’t held solely responsible for chain of responsibility breaches. According to COR law, everyone involved in the supply chain has a role to play when it comes to safety, from the consignor to the consignee, to the driver, packer and person responsible for securing the load.
Although drivers are the ones who are placed at risk most often because of the time they spend in the truck both in the transport yard and on the road, they shouldn’t be held solely responsible for breaches in legislation. All workers need to understand their role in the chain of responsibility and therefore need to undergo the necessary COR training.
To learn more about COR legislation, visit our homepage or speak to one of our consultants today, there are a number of options available to suit your employees’ needs.
More info on Chain of Responsibility courses.
