Addressing Vehicle and Moving Object Hazards on Construction Sites

Last month, we examined the issue of hazards on construction sites, and we recognised that some of those hazards have feet - so this month, we'll provide you with a free resource to help you work with your potentially 'hazardous helpers'. We'll help you with some other resources also. We will equip you to come alongside your workers and encourage the sharing of observations, experiences and 'coal-face' insights. We'll provide you with questions and activities you can use with your workers, and finally, we'll point you in the direction of other resources you can find helpful.

As also mentioned last month, Safe Work Australia's "Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2024" report makes for alarming reading. Summing up the 2023 figures, it identifies a range of focus areas worthy of our attention, and we'll likely repeat this exercise with some of the other topics in the future. Today, however, we'll focus on vehicle and moving object hazards on construction sites.

In case you're interested, the other focus areas include falls from a height, body stressing, falls, slips and trips, and mental stress.

Specifically, we'll consider:

• How 'hazardous helpers' can become 'hazard reducers'.
• A group exercise for reducing hazards on construction sites.
• Two hazards on construction sites and what we can do about them
• Reducing vehicle incident and moving object hazards

How 'Hazardous Helpers' can become 'Hazard Reducers'

Last month, we faced some sometimes awkward realities:

1. People can be the most significant hazards on construction sites. That means us!
2. A comprehensive, rather than a piecemeal approach to safety is best. Ideally, this means implementing a complete OH&S Management Systemor WHS Management System.
3. A minimalist solution is to effectively use Safe Work Methods Statements (SWMS), and to this end, we also encouraged the exploration of our SWMS Industry Pack solutions.

Now, let's recognise that whatever your approach and resource levels, you will need a team interested in practical implementation, and one of the best ways to do this is to help them take ownership of the issues. The following exercise will help that happen.

But you know we can't address issues related to vehicle-related people without considering a live example, so consider the traffic controller suffering from laryngitis. Waving down a ute driving too quickly, he leant forward and hoarsely whispered to the driver, "Slow down. There's a work crew just ahead." Smiling, the driver lowered his voice to a whisper and responded, "Okay, I'll drive slow and try not to wake them."

Now, let's get into this.

A Group Exercise for Reducing Hazards in Construction Sites

We suggest you either cut and paste the questions to a fresh page, or print the entire article, using either approach to stimulate conversation and solutions. We'd also encourage you to go through it privately before engaging with your team.

The suggested goals are:

1. Ensure workers feel heard and supported,
2. Create an environment where hazards can be identified,
3. Help hazard removal, reduction and remedial strategies to be identified,
4. Correct ineffective or harmful attitudes and practices, and
5. Strengthen the workplace culture.

_____________________ CUT AND PASTE BEGINS _____________________

Hazards on Construction Sites and What We Can Do About Them

Safe Work Australia released its annual 12-month snapshot recently. It's called "Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2024", and it's a report card of sorts on how we did in 2023 regarding workplace safety.

On the upside, Australia's current work-related injury rate is 3.5%, meaning less than 4 in every 100 workers experienced a work-related injury or illness. That's much better than much of the world, with a global average of 12.1%. But that's no reason to slacken off. Every one of those 'statistics' represents a person with a family and maybe a spouse, partner or kids. They all had a future that was taken entirely or altered.

To be even more precise, in the construction industry alone, we had 36 fatalities. This is a serious conversation about serious concerns.

More specifically, vehicles were our greatest hazard on construction sites in 2023, and being struck by moving objects was among the top categories also. The Safe Work Australia "Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2024" report shows that vehicle incidents caused 74 fatalities.

Reducing Vehicle Incidents and Moving Object Hazards

So, now that we have identified that we're talking about moving vehicles, objects, tools and materials, we recognise we're talking about a big topic. These are a significant hazard on construction sites, so let's see how we can improve the outcomes.

Remember, we are the human factor. We can be a hazard with feet!

Obvious errors include operator error, complacency, distractions, poor communications, a lack of awareness, failure to place and use appropriate personnel, and the absence of, or miswearing of, personal protective equipment (PPE).

These issues tell us we can:

• Provide appropriate training,
• Encourage vigilance and situational awareness,
• Control distractions,
• Improve communications,
• Encourage the proper use of PPE, and
• Remember, pedestrians often don't know anything about all of this.

But what else? As an on-site worker, with first-hand experience, please consider these questions and contribute to the discussion. Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid idea or a pointless question… well, actually, there is. Some questions come to mind: "Why is it called 'shipping' if it goes by truck and 'cargo' when it goes by ship?" and "What was the first person to milk a cow trying to do?"

But with that out of the way, bring what you've got. We haven't hit every issue, but there should be enough to get the grey matter firing and save some lives.

Appreciating the Hazards (for Drivers and Operators)

1. How would you rate our site layout regarding vehicle flow and pedestrian safety?
2. Are there parts of our site where blind spots or limited visibility exist?
3. Are there any specific distractions you find challenging to deal with on-site?
4. Are there places on-site where vehicle movements should be better controlled?"
5. How does fatigue impact reaction times and safety with vehicle and plant operation?
6. How does weather, like rain or extreme heat, affect safety?
7. How does terrain and site layout affect safety?
8. How do workers, other plant and pedestrians affect safety?
9. What precautions do you take in these conditions?"

Appreciating the Hazards (for the Rest of Us)

1. What types of moving objects do you encounter most frequently on-site?
2. How often do you find it difficult to see or be seen by vehicle operators on-site?
3. Which ones do you find most challenging to work around?
4. Have you ever had a close call with a moving vehicle or object on the site? What happened?
5. What's something you now do to stay safe around moving equipment or vehicles?
6. What site conditions increase the risks associated with vehicles and moving objects?
7. Are there any specific distractions you find challenging to deal with on-site?
8. How comfortable do you feel reporting near-misses or incidents involving moving objects?
9. What vehicle-related hazards do you see most often on this site?
10. When have you felt unsafe around vehicles on-site?
11. How would you rate our site layout regarding vehicle flow and pedestrian safety?
12. Are there places on-site where vehicle movements should be better controlled?"

Solution Seeking (for drivers and operators)

1. What strategies could you use to be more aware of pedestrians or other vehicles?
2. How often do you perform safety checks on your equipment? Does this need to change?
3. What checks do you make before driving or operating a vehicle? Does this need to change?
4. What strategies or resources would improve your response to fatigue? How can we help?
5. What would improve your response to weather variations? To terrain and site layout challenges? To workers, other plant and pedestrians? How can we help?
6. What precautions should we take that we still need to identify?
7. Can the signals, signs, and warning systems used on-site be improved?
8. How can we, as a team, make sure everyone is aware of moving objects and danger zones?
9. What changes could we make on-site to reduce risks from vehicles?
10. How can drivers and operators communicate more clearly?
11. How can spotters, ground crew, and other workers also improve communications?
12. How can we improve operation with blind spots, limited visibility and high-traffic areas?
13. What training or resources would be helpful to you?

Solution Seeking (for the Rest of Us)

1. How can you be more aware of your surroundings, especially vehicles and other moving materials?
2. How should you alert others if you see a potential hazard from a moving object nearby?
3. Can our signals or warning systems used on-site be improved?
4. What types of PPE are most effective for staying visible and protected around moving objects?
5. What adjustments should we make when site conditions change, such as rain or fading light?
6. What would make it easier to report concerns, incidents and near misses?
7. What changes could we make on-site to reduce risks from moving objects?
8. Do you have suggestions for improving signage, barriers, or designated walkways to keep us all safer around moving objects?"
9. What are some examples of common distractions that we should try to reduce on-site?
10. If you witness or experience a near-miss with a vehicle, how comfortable do you feel reporting it?
11. How can drivers and operators communicate more clearly?
12. How can spotters, ground crew, and other workers also improve communications?
13. How can we improve blind spots, limited visibility and high-traffic areas?
14. Can we minimise distractions for other workers?
15. What changes would you like to see on-site to operate machinery safely?
16. What training or resources would be helpful to you?

_____________________ CUT AND PASTE ENDS _____________________

Need Help? Want Help?

We anticipate this exercise, and these questions will help your team identify and discuss specific experiences, share personal insights, and collectively identify ways to reduce and manage vehicle and moving object hazards on construction sites.

Also, while we're being helpful, I'd invite you to cast your eye over these items and check out those you do not have or perhaps suspect may need updating.

• Do you have effective SWMSs for Traffic Management and Driving Vehicles?
• Do you have an effective Traffic Incident Report Form?
• Are your hazards and safety controls documented on SWMS for your specific plant and equipment (e.g. Excavator, Backhoe, Front End Loader)?

If you need more clarification, check out the Industry Packs, and if you'd like to investigate a popular item, the Forklift SWMS will be an excellent place to start.

If you have questions, call 1800 304 336 or email.

If you have ANY questions, please call. Safety is our thing, and serving you is my goal. After all, being a tailor didn't suit me; I lacked the patience to be a doctor, and I found pool maintenance way too draining… and though I love a laugh, safety is my pleasure. I like saving lives and helping (especially small) businesses do this effectively and affordably. Call 1800 304 336 and we'll work together to make that happen.