Around a quarter of all deaths involving vehicles at work occur as a result of reversing. It also results in considerable damage to vehicles, equipment and property. The most effective way of reducing reversing incidents is to remove the need to reverse by, for example, using one-way systems. Where this is not possible, sites should be organised so that reversing is kept to a minimum. (HSE leaflet INDG199(rev2))
Many other reversing accidents do not result in injury but cause costly damage to vehicles, equipment and premises.
In the interests of the safety of our employees and visitors we have a introduced a one way system and reversing policy for commercial vehicles which is to be adhered when accessing / leaving our premises.
Primary points to be aware of are:
1. Our one way system is to be observed at all times unless in exceptional circumstances.
2. Reversing onto the premises is strictly forbidden without a banksman.
3. Reversing out of the premises is strictly forbidden without a banksman.
In exceptional circumstances for example: restricted manoeuvring, then the vehicle needing to access or leave our premises should at all times be accompanied by a banksman.
i. When requiring access to our premises and needing a banksman then the driver should park the vehicle in a safe and non-obstructing manner, then contact our goods in department to request a banksman. Upon the allocation of a banksman then the vehicle will be escorted onto our premises.
ii. When leaving the premises and needing a banksman then the dispatch department should be made aware and a banksman allocated to escort the vehicle.