But I don’t have room for segregation!

We hear this a lot from construction sites to manufacturing companies to general workplaces. Lack of segregation is a big killer in the workplace. It's also shocking how many life-changing injuries are also caused needlessly due to improper planning, lack of awareness, or a general lack of appreciation for how important it is to properly segregate the work area. Sounds harsh, right?

Imagine you have turned up to work on a Monday morning, fit and healthy - fast forward 3 hours, and you’re being flown by an air ambulance to a local hospital due to being run over by a forklift. There is a very good chance you will lose your leg, or worse. No person should ever be in this position.

In a recent court case, based on the above scenario, the HSE said:

“This incident could so easily have been avoided. Segregation measures should have been in place between vehicles and pedestrians. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those that fall below the required standards.”

What are the required standards?

• By law, pedestrians or vehicles must be able to use a traffic route without causing danger to the health or safety of people working near it.

• Roadways and footpaths should be separated whenever possible.

• You need to consider protection for people who work near vehicle routes.

• By law, traffic routes must also keep vehicle routes far enough away from doors or gates that pedestrians use, or from pedestrian routes that lead onto them, so the safety of pedestrians is not threatened.

Where to start – a risk assessment

Your risk assessment should include answers to these questions:

• How are pedestrians and cyclists kept away from vehicles?

• How do you mark out and sign vehicle and pedestrian areas?

• Where do vehicles and pedestrians have to use the same route?

• How do you mark out and sign crossing points for drivers? For pedestrians?

• How do you tell drivers and pedestrians about the routes and the layout? For example: staff who work on-site (training), new staff (induction), visitors.

• Apart from collisions, what else presents a health and safety risk? For example: materials falling from vehicles, noise, fumes. How can you manage these risks?

So what are some control measures?

Eliminate if we can – completely remove the interaction between vehicles and pedestrians. But this sometimes isn't always possible.

Instead, we should Reduce the risk with the following measures:

Barriers and markings

Effective ways to keep vehicles away from pedestrian areas include:

• Protective barriers

• Clear markings to set apart vehicle and pedestrian routes

• Raised kerbs to mark vehicle and pedestrian areas

Where needed, provide suitable barriers or guardrails:

• At entrances and exits to buildings

• At the corners of buildings

• To prevent pedestrians from walking straight onto roads

Crossing points

Where pedestrian and vehicle routes cross, provide appropriate crossing points for people to use. Pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers should be able to see clearly in all directions. Crossing points should be suitably marked and signposted, and should include dropped kerbs where the walkway is raised from the driving surface.

Segregation

Provide separate vehicle and pedestrian doors wherever possible (segregation). Windows on doors can help drivers and pedestrians see whether it is safe for them to approach a door. If vehicles use routes inside buildings, use signs and markings on the floor to inform both drivers and pedestrians.

Last resort – PPE – ensure you can be seen where vehicles/plant are operating.

The planning of segregation must be a priority for all involved. It can and will save lives!

Safety For are about Safety For ALL. Whatever your business size, industry and needs, we are here for you.