Health & Safety
COMPASS’s Deborah Williams
Be prepared: Winter’s hazardous conditions mean HGV drivers must remain vigilant
NOW winter is upon us, along with dark nights, wet, windy weather and the risk of snow and ice, the risk of a vehicle collision increases by 20%. With this in mind we have prepared a brief reminder for HGV (heavy goods vehicle) drivers on staying safe on the roads this winter. HGV drivers must be prepared for every situation. It’s important to check that they have the right equipment before starting journeys, especially during the harsh winter months. Drivers should make sure to regularly inspect their HGV are ready for every possible situation and check they have the following items at hand:
• De-icer/ice scraper; • A shovel and a bag of sand or salt; • Jump leads; • A torch and a high-visibility jacket; • Warm blanket and extra warm clothes;
• Spare food and water; • At least half a tank of fuel at all times.
When it comes to vehicle inspections, you may need to slightly alter your regular checks during winter months. Always check tyres for wear, pressure and balance; battery power and charging systems; that the windscreen wipers are working and free from ice and snow; fl uid levels are topped up; lights are fully functional; ensure exhaust is clear of snow, and make sure defrosters are functional.
Check the conditions
Obtain weather information before setting off and keep up to date with changing conditions and closed routes via GPS systems, radio, regularly calling into base.
Drive carefully
After the mild conditions in the summer and autumn months, dangers caused by winter weather are often overlooked. However, 17% of all vehicle crashes occur during the winter months, so drivers must slow down and give enough time for their journeys. Most accidents occur because drivers are travelling too fast, or in a rush. This is especially dangerous for HGV drivers, so when fi rst getting behind the wheel, take the time to become accustomed to how the vehicle handles on the road – it’s harder to control or stop on a road covered in snow. Remember speed signs are intended for dry roads!
10 times normal stopping distance
Allowing extra time and space to brake increases stopping distance to allow time to react to the vehicles ahead. During snowy and icy conditions, allow 10 times the normal stopping distance because HGVs need more time to stop than cars. While there’s often a tendency to associate hazardous weather mainly with snow and ice, fog – rain and sun dazzle can all have a huge impact on driver safety too.
Drive smoothly
Sudden, sharp movements will cause you to lose control and hard acceleration and braking also decrease traction. Hold a consistent, steady speed and be easy on the brakes. Holding distance between large vehicles and the car in front, you will always provide comfortable braking distance in icy conditions.
Mindful of hazards
Driving HGVs in winter can be a hazard in itself, but there are two particular hazards you should watch out for:
Black ice: In close to freezing temperatures, look out for clues black
ice may be on the roads. Black ice is a dangerous road condition and presents itself as a thin layer of transparent ice that often makes the road look slightly wet. Risk signs from black ice include a build- up of ice on lorry’s mirror arms, antennae or the top corners of the windshield. If the car in front is spraying snow from its tyres – and the spray stops, be aware of the possibility of black ice. Bridges: The other hazard is elevated structures, such as bridges which usually freeze fi rst and are not always treated with salt/sand to melt the snow or ice. During the winter months, be sure to approach these areas carefully, to avoid spinning out or losing control.
Entering and leaving your lorry
This may seem like an obvious point, but it’s common for drivers to fall and injure themselves by underestimating just how slippery their vehicles steps are. It’s not a race, so be sure to take the time and wear boots with good grip to reduce chance of injury. Also, when visibility is low, remember your high-visibility vest.
Take a break
There’s a good time to stop driving, and there’s a bad time to stop driving. Winter conditions can be so harsh that driving no longer becomes possible, so it is important to recognise when this is. If visibility is low and driving conditions severe, do not stop on the hard shoulder as this will dramatically increase your chances of being hit. Instead, drive carefully to a petrol station or any 24-hour establishment and wait until visibility increases.
For more information on staying safe at work this winter please call Compass on 01257 692606 or email
info@compasshealthandsafety.co.uk
Deborah Williams CMIOSH RMaPS is Principal Safety Consultant at Compass Ltd.
Deborah specialises in assisting private sector organisations within the construction, waste management and extractive industries.
You can contact her on - 01257 482256 or via email:
dwilliams@compass-ms.co.uk 26 SHWM December, 2018
www.skiphiremagazine.co.uk
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