ERIKS Health and Safety No.021 Tool Box Talk

1 ERIKS UK, Amber Way, Halesowen, West Midlands, B62 8WG. Tel: 0121 508 6000 ERIKS Health and Safety tool Box Talk Revision 01/11/2011 Page 1 of 1 About tool Box talks Please read through this document with each of your staff FACE TO FACE in the form of a tool Box Talk, encourage interaction on the Discussion points. Each Toolbox talk should take no more than 10 15 minutes. For each tool Box Talk: a record sheet must be completed containing each employee s signature. Keep the original in your local tool Box Talk record file and fax or email a copy to the scheme administrator. Title: SAFE LOADING & UNLOADING OF VEHICLES An experienced employee fell from the back of a truck in the yard of an ERIKS service centre, he suffered serious injuries.

2 According to the HSE document INDG401, in a 12 month period falls from height accounted for 46 fatal accidents at work and around 3350 major injuries. They remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury. Main Points: The hazards & nature of injuries Avoiding the risk of injuries Using cranes and lift trucks Discussion Points: A fall from an open sided vehicle has the potential for fatal and serious injuries including; fractures, dislocations, cuts, bruises, concussion, disability not to mention suffering, loss of ability to work and the impact on other family members Environmental factors such as: rain, snow, ice, wind and darkness can add to the risk of a fall and the severity of injuries In the vast majority of operations it is not necessary to climb onto the back of a vehicle and you must not do so without the permission of your supervisor.

3 You must not go onto the back of an open vehicle to retrieve sheets, ropes, chains, ratchet straps, blocks or chocks, these should be stowed to be accessible from ground level. Before and during all loading operations: 1. Ensure the load is within the vehicle s capacity 2. Position the load centrally 3. Assess your capability to handle the load and get help and/or load by crane or FLT as appropriate if trained and authorised. 4. Load or unload inside whenever practical. 5. Get help with sheeting up, don t climb up!! If getting onto the vehicle is unavoidable, with the help of your supervisor COMPLETE a risk assessment, implement the findings and: DO NOT work alone, get help Make sure steps or ladders are in good order, secured and you maintain 3 points of contact Remove all slip or trip hazards, use rock salt on ice Wear a hard hat with chin strap fitted If working on a drop sided vehicle, drop the sides to minimise the potential height of a fall Wear suitable Safety footwear with a good sole grip, this is particularly important if the vehicle is wet Offer help to our own and visiting drivers, ask them not to get onto their open vehicle whilst at our service centre, ask them to talk to your supervisor.

4 Also you can visit: REMEMBER IF YOU NEED HELP ASK IF YOU SEE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS HELP GIVE IT