HSE LESSONS FROM DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Kikikikiki the engine is started and adrenaline is high. The sweaty hands had reached out with the dangling keys to start the engines, the hot stuffy air in the car did'nt matter anymore as the glasses were wound down briskly. Its close of work after a stressful day the only thing in view is a quick drive back home to wash up and hangout. In a bid to zoom out quickly the dashboard warning signs were ignored as the lights turned on. It will soon be time for the big game, any routine check will be a waste of time... (Director screams: cut! the movie would continue in your mind) Alright here's a typical work day scenario about playing out but I just want to share a few thoughts compiled from other sources for your reading pleasure on driving safely...)

The most common causes of traffic accidents are driving while distracted, fatigue, and impairment. It’s important to remember that these causes are not just a problem but, they are hazards presented by all the drivers on the road with them.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 

“the majority of fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of home and at speeds of less than 40 mph.” 

A frontal collision at 30 mph, where your vehicle hits an object and stops, people and objects inside the vehicle continue to move forward until they hit the windshield, steering column, or dashboard. This literally has the same effect as falling from the top of a three-story building.

An effective driving safety program will not only minimize risk and the resulting costs of crashes, it can protect what makes your organization succeed, its people.

DRIVING SAFELY AT WORK

Vehicular accidents are the most common cause of workplace injury and death. Follow the bellow safety tips when navigating vehicles on company premises to help minimize accidents.

Prior to Entry

Check tires to make sure properly inflated

Ensure any attachments of the vehicle are properly secure

Check top ensure all lights work properly

Ensure any vehicle equipment is in proper order

Operate the forklift only if you’ve been trained

After Entry

Buckle you seat belt

Adjust your mirrors

Check the fuel level

Verify all gauges are operating properly

Check to ensure breaks are functional

During Transit

Keep your eyes focused on the space around you, be mindful of other vehicles and pedestrians

Avoid sharp turns

Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle

Follow our speed limit and other regulations

Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles – about three vehicle lengths.

Raise and lower your load only when you are stopped

Stop and sound the horn at intersections

Use signals

Note any road maintenance issues and report them

HSE INSIGHTS: Best Practices for Loading and Unloading Operations

One challenge we combat in the industry is the safe practices needed for (un)loading operations either using self loaders, whether front end or back end, forlifts, etc as well as the transportation of such loads. Several accidents have been reported or you may likely have witnessed one of such like the dropping off of load that kill other commuters or personnels attempting to tag loads, failure of machines or basically several unsafe acts that increase the data of TRR.

Transporting loads is a very dangerous operation although it might seem like a simple task in getting stuff from one place to another. Loading, unloading and transporting cargo can cause serious injury and even fatality. Workers loading and unloading cargo are exposed to serious danger in that heavy objects may hit or fall on them if they don’t follow the right loading and unloading safety procedures.

Just a few safety advice to imbibe best practises: As a rule of thumbs we must ensure that the operation the following must have been in place: Training - the task should be done by Competent Persons, Supervision, use of already Pre-mob equipment, Proper job planning and instructions made available for the job. Here's more -