Falls are a leading cause of injury in transport and logistics operations. They can happen when entering or exiting a cab, climbing onto a trailer, securing a load or walking through a yard. Even a fall from a relatively low height can cause broken bones, head injuries and time away from work.
E-Training World has launched a new driver training module designed to identify the risks of working around HGVs and provide advice and guidance on how to remain safe. The interactive online training module educates drivers on common causes of falls and how to avoid them, entering and exiting vehicles safely, the importance of three points of contact, specific risks around trailers, why footwear matters and company and driver responsibilities.
“Falls are one of the most common causes of serious injury around HGVs,” comments Graham Hurdle, managing director of E-Training World. “A fall can happen in seconds, but the consequences can last much longer. The good news is that most falls are preventable. By understanding and following safe procedures and taking a few extra moments to work safely, employees can significantly reduce the risk of injury.”
“Many falls are caused by hazards that are easy to overlook, such as wet or slippery steps, damaged handholds, poor lighting, ice and snow, uneven surfaces, and cluttered walkways. A driver stepping from a cab on a wet morning could slip from the bottom step, resulting in a fractured wrist. A simple check of the step condition and maintaining three points of contact can prevent these types of incidents. By spotting and addressing hazards early, drivers can help protect themselves and others from injury.”
“Preventing falls is everyone’s responsibility,” Graham continued. “By understanding the risks, following procedures, reporting concerns and taking responsibility for their own actions, every employee can help prevent falls. By training drivers, companies can highlight risks before injuries happen and help keep everyone safe at work.”
E-Training World is the company that pioneered online driver profiling and training. As well as serving some of the largest fleet operators in the UK, they provide branded/white-labelled systems to many of the best-known companies in the fleet sector. These include insurance companies, fleet management specialists, accident management providers, driver training businesses, vehicle rental specialists and other fleet sector suppliers.
