- Wear gripped footwear, and take extra care around areas that are likely to be slippery – for example, diesel tanks where spilling is a common event.

- Take special caution when climbing down from the cab to the kerb, as balance is off and visibility is poor

- When loading and unloading objects, try your hardest to avoid carrying the heavier and larger ones over areas likely to be slippery, as this often obscures the carrier’s view and makes it difficult for them to catch their fall in the event of a trip.

Lifting and Moving Haulage Safety

279 major injuries and 3653 people required over 3 days off as a result of manual handling in the haulage industry. Here are some tips to ensure you don’t face the same kind of agony:

- If it’s possible to make loads easier to carry, then it’s worth the investment. If a smaller selection of haulage groupage can be carried with handles or hand-holds, then it’s worth investing in them, rather than risking your lorry safety.

- Mechanical aids can save time as well as you/your workers health! If its financially viable, consider vehicle mounted hydraulic hoists, pallet trucks, scissor lifts or customised trolleys.

- Roll cages are big contributors to manual handling injuries. Make sure they’re sensibly loaded, well secured in the vehicle and that the pavement you’re travelling across is even and free from potholes and bumps.

Although many of these HGV safety tips are common sense, it never hurts to restate them, especially as many workers have been dealing with haulage groupage so long that it has become routine. The watch words are care and common sense – keep those two at heart and you should easily be able to avoid injury.

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