Reducing risk in driving at work

Safe site design

Safe site design refers to the workplace layout, including traffic routes, their maintenance, pedestrian crossings, lighting, and signage, with the main goal of keeping vehicles and pedestrians separate.

Workplaces must be designed so pedestrians and vehicles can move safely, with traffic routes that are safe, well positioned, appropriately sized and that have well-drained, even surfaces that remain clear of obstacles.

The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) advises that traffic routes should:

• be wide and high enough for safe vehicle movement;
• avoid steep slopes and sharp bends where possible (and be clearly marked where unavoidable);
• have firm, even, load-bearing surfaces, with good grip and no obstructions;
• have warning signs where headroom is limited; and
• routes near edges, fragile structures, or hazardous materials should be properly fenced and protected.

Site design should also consider one-way systems, space for large vehicle manoeuvring, appropriate speed limits, and safe access for the public, including disabled people, children, and the elderly.

Safe site activity

Safe site activity covers site operations such as reversing, parking, coupling and uncoupling, loading and unloading, tipping and sheeting.

If reversing is unavoidable, provide clearly marked reversing areas, improve visibility with mirrors or vehicle aids and keep non-essential personnel clear of these areas.

Where possible, provide safe and suitable parking, keeping work vehicles separate from private vehicles. Use clear signage and controls where needed, and ensure drivers can exit vehicles without crossing hazards, using barriers or bollards to protect pedestrian areas.

Ensure coupling areas are level, firm, and well-lit to prevent tipping and allow safe checks of pins, clips, and hoses. Vehicle lighting, wheel-stops, and handholds should also be provided where needed.

Loading and unloading is a shared responsibility, requiring stable loads, suitable vehicles, and trained, supervised drivers.

Before tipping, hauliers and receivers should share written details of the load, site conditions, procedures, and responsibilities. Drivers must be able to refuse unsafe tipping, knowing their decision will be supported.

Safe vehicles

Safe vehicles involves selecting the right vehicle for the task, environment, and users, and ensuring it is properly maintained

Every employer and self-employed person must ensure that any work equipment, including vehicles, is suitable for its intended use. See HSE's Approved Code of Practice on the Safe use of work equipment.

When buying or hiring a vehicle, consider its purpose, operating environment, and the operator, and consult those who will use it. Vehicles must meet legal standards for public roads under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, and most workplace vehicles should comply.

Non-road mobile equipment must meet requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, which ensure that machinery is designed and constructed to meet essential health and safety requirements. Dangerous parts, such as power take-offs, chain drives, or exposed hot exhausts, must be properly guarded.

Drivers must have a clear view to spot hazards, and vehicles should be visible to pedestrians and traffic. Use lights, reflectors, beacons, and horns, and for large or load-restricted vehicles, add mirrors, alarms, sensors, or CCTV to improve visibility.

Safe drivers

Safe driver refers to the skills, competence, and behaviour of vehicle operators.

Recruitment, induction, training, supervision, auditing, and competence checks should ensure workers can safely operate vehicles and attachments in all relevant workplace environments. HSE recommends that initial requirements match public road driving rules: typically, drivers must be at least 17 and have passed a driving test, with specific rules for larger goods vehicles.

Workplace driving often requires extra skills, such as using specialised attachments, loading, unloading, trimming, and sheeting. Only trained, authorised and fit personnel should operate workplace vehicles, with tasks matched to their abilities – for example, lift truck operators need full mobility to work safely. DVLA guidance on medical standards for driving provides a useful reference for workplace vehicle fitness.

The amount of training a driver requires depends on their previous experience and the type of work, guided by risk assessments. Verify prior training, and test trainees competence. Training should cover workplace layout and routes, reporting faults or hazards and accidents, safe use of vehicles and equipment, site-specific dangers, speed limits, parking and loading procedures, required PPE, supervision and penalties for unsafe practices, and emergency procedures. Even experienced drivers should be monitored to ensure they follow training and safe working procedures.

More information

A detailed discussion of the above is available on Introduction to workplace transport safety