Prosecutions highlight need for transport safety

The HSE has reminded employers of the need to ensure that safe systems are in place to control workplace transport.

The warning last month followed the prosecution of two companies after a worker was struck by a car and suffered serious head injuries.

Robert Campbell, a security officer employed by G4S Security Ser­vices (UK) Ltd, was checking a heavy goods vehicle leaving packaging firm Rigid Containers Ltd when a car that was also leaving the site hit him.

HSE inspector David Welsh commented: “This incident showed all the classic signs of a workplace transport collision between a vehicle and pedestrian. There was no separation of vehicles and pedestrians at Rigid’s main entrance, the area where the accident occurred was poorly lit, and road signs and markings to direct traffic were insufficient.–