Segregating feet and fleet: Measures for better pedestrian and vehicle safety
The mix of man and machine always poses potential risks in any workplace. When people and vehicles occupy and move around in the same space, such as a warehouse floor, it is a recipe for disaster. To avoid injuries, fatalities, and equipment damage, employers need to implement a range of safety measures.
The importance of keeping vehicles and pedestrians apart
Workplaces with a blend of pedestrian and vehicle traffic frequently report related accidents. These involve people being run over, knocked down, or crushed and people falling from vehicles when getting on or off, working at heights, or uploading or offloading goods.
Recently, the HSE posted the case of a forklift truck operator driving the vehicle in a poorly lit area. There were no designated driving lanes and as the operator crossed the yard, an industrial truck reversed into it.
Despite the truck driver checking his mirrors and having reversing alarms, the forklift was not spotted. After the collision, the forklift tipped over and fatally crushed the operator.
In another incident, a maintenance engineer took a shortcut across the vehicle route and did not use a designated pedestrian walkway at the construction site of a new school. The project neared its end and banksmen were not used for reversing vehicles.
A reversing dumper truck hit the engineer, who died from multiple injuries, because it didn’t see the person behind the vehicle. This scenario may have had a different outcome if there were segregated lanes and road traffic safety signage.
These tragedies are part of the 135 workplace deaths reported for 2021/2022. Given these and other similar incidents, it is important to keep vehicles and pedestrians apart. There are different ways to establish effective traffic segregation.
Legal responsibilities of employers regarding vehicle and pedestrian traffic
Several UK laws describe the duties of employers where workplaces use transport in and around facilities. These are:
- The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, describing the overall safety duties of employers and employees.
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
- The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
- Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2015, with a particular focus on construction site safety.
- Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
- Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013.
- Lifting Operation and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998.
- Rider-operated lift trucks: Operator training and safe use Approved Code of Practice.
In a nutshell, all employers must take all reasonable actions to keep employees and visitors to their sites safe. Regulations about special vehicles or industries detail specific precautions as there are unique risks attached to this equipment or work activities.
Legally, an employer must assess the workplace and implement safety measures, such as construction vehicles and site navigation signs, in line with the risks identified. Segregating pedestrians and vehicles can be tricky in some areas and needs extra measures such as barriers or traffic bridges.
Common problems when pedestrians and vehicles share the same routes
Visibility is an issue when pedestrians operate in the vicinity of vehicles. Drivers often do not see pedestrians because of blind spots, poor lighting, tricky corners or bends, driving too fast, or not sticking to designated lanes.
Reversing vehicles is a hazard because drivers cannot see anything directly behind them. As seen, reverse sensors can fail to pick up certain objects or people, resulting in collisions, injuries, and death.
If vehicle operators and pedestrians do not stick to the site rules segregating pedestrians and vehicles, accidents are imminent. When this happens, people on foot often cross into the path of oncoming or reversing vehicles.
Directing the movement of vehicles and pedestrians with simple, yet effective, signs, barriers, and other safety tools can greatly contribute to on-site safety. Seton’s team of health and safety experts have you covered when it comes to segregating pedestrians and vehicles.
Using signage and zoning to designate areas for pedestrians and vehicles
The safety difference a simple sign makes to reduce pedestrian and vehicle risks is significant. Combining road safety signs with physical measures attracts attention and informs and warns drivers and pedestrians.
The HSE recommends you use the normal road markings as for the Highway Code, as these are universal signs that are easily recognised by all. Employers must use signage for:
- Inside and outside routes.
- Loading zones.
- Parking areas.
- Pedestrian crossings.
- Designated traffic lanes.
- Junctions.
- Wherever the gradient changes and around sharp corners.
Forklift warning signage, for example, is a must in any warehouse or distribution centre.
Use reflective or illuminated signs or floor tape in dark areas. Also, place signs where they can be spotted in advance to take the necessary evasive actions. Employers must indicate speed limits and changing speed limits – not only to improve safety but to mitigate the high costs of possible legal actions.
Using physical barriers to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety
A site assessment gives you the information needed to plan for and implement physical barriers. These are physical objects you put in place to direct the movement of vehicles and keep them away from people or vice versa.
Footbridges and subways prevent pedestrians from entering or crossing traffic routes. When installing these, you need to consider disabled workers and visitors and the height of loads.
Protective barriers are a visible segregation measure, and, when combined with road traffic and painted markers, they can help limit safety incidents. They are handy deterrents at entry and exit points, on corners, and in prohibited areas.
Some barriers are light and portable, so they are easy to use as temporary measures during specific times of the day such as shift changeovers when foot traffic is likely to be more. These also help on construction sites when activities move from one point to the next.
Bollards are an alternative to barriers when marking different routes in designated areas. Although not as effective as a complete barrier, they are still visible. Experts recommend using them together with other safety measures such as assigned kerbs or road markings.
Coloured routes are another simple but helpful way in which a physical marking can help to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety. Again, combine the painting or colour-coding of routes with physical barriers to maximise the segregation of pedestrians and vehicles.
Safety education
Your signage and barrier will not amount to much if workers and visitors do not follow the site rules. Employers must educate and communicate why segregated routes are important and what people must do to stick to the rules. This includes wearing additional PPE, such as high-visibility jackets, while on site to make them more visible.
Routine inspections
Inspect your pedestrian and vehicle safety measures from time to time to ensure everything is in good order. You can also use these inspections to determine how well people follow site rules.
Workplace safety is not a gamble. Seton stocks everything you need to segregate pedestrians and vehicles for a safer environment.
