SUBSCRIBE GALLERY RESOURCES EVENTS

26 February 2018 Ref: 1718217

Accident Advisory: Lorry driver fell off lorry bed

On 11 December 2017 around 5pm, a driver was preparing to load goods onto

his lorry. The lorry bed was wet at the time of accident due to rain. While

standing on the lorry’s bed and lowering one of its sideboards, he fell to the

ground from a height of approximately 1.25m. The driver was conveyed to the

hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Figure: Overview of accident scene

Recommendations Persons in control of similar workplaces and work activities such as occupiers

and employers are advised to consider the following risk control measures to

prevent similar accidents:

Safe work procedure for releasing side boards

Establish safe work procedures for releasing of vehicle sideboards. The safe

work procedures should include the following, but not limited to:

- ensure vehicle is properly parked at designated areas; - ensure vehicle is stationery; turn off engine, apply the hand brake and

chock the wheels; - stand firm on the ground and not on the lorry bed;

- when unlatching the locking mechanism, the sideboard must be supported;

- Seek assistance from a co-worker if a side board is too heavy for one

person to handle; and - gently lower the sideboard to the desired position.

Location where

deceased was found

Sideboard

of lorry

Ensure the implementation of the safe work procedures through adequate

supervision.

Design of loading/unloading bay

Loading and unloading bays should facilitate safe operations in any

circumstance. For example, adequate shelter and lighting could be provided

so that works during inclement weather conditions or done during the night

can be carried out safely.

Provision for wet weather conditions

Wet weather conditions must be considered if loading/unloading activities

have to be conducted at partially or non-sheltered areas.

Ensure that the lorry bed is safe for access to prevent slips, trips and falls.

Provide slip-resistant safety foot wear.

Risk Assessment Conduct a thorough Risk Assessment (RA) for all work activities to control any

foreseeable risk that may arise during logistic operations. The RA should cover

the following areas, but not limited to:

Work at heights Always eliminate the need for working at heights as far as it is practicable.

Worker Health

Inform workers that they must stop work and report to their supervisors if they are unwell or experiencing fatigue.

Further Information 1. Workplace Safety and Health Act

2. Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations

3. Approved Code of Practice for Working Safety at Heights

4. Approved Code of Practice on Workplace Safety and Health Risk Management

5. Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines on Safe Loading on Vehicles

6. Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines on Workplace Traffic Safety

Management

7. Case Studies Booklet for Accidents Involving Work At Heights

8. Case Studies Booklet for Logistics and Transport Industry

9. 6 Basic Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Rules for Working at Heights

10.6 Basic Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Rules for Loading on Vehicles

11.Activity Based Checklist for Working Safely at Heights

12.Activity Based Checklist for Safe Loading of Materials

13.UK HSE – Safety in the Storage and handling of Steel and other Metal Stock

14.UK HSE – A Guide to Workplace Transport Safety

*Information on the accident is provided by the Ministry of Manpower and is correct as at 20 December 2017. This may be subject to change as investigations are still on-going. Please note that the information provided here is not exhaustive and is for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health so that a recurrence may be prevented. The information provided is not to be construed as implying any liability to any party nor should it be taken to encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations of the reader of this WSH Alert under the law.

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