![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
DRIVING FOR WORK: WINTER PREPARATIONS REQUIRED
HA urges “ill prepared” drivers to shape up for winter journeys
The Highways Agency (HA) is urging drivers to ‘Make Time for Winter’ by preparing themselves and their vehicles to help keep the roads running smoothly.
Roads Minister Robert Goodwill said:
“The Highways Agency does all it can to keep the roads open during severe weather. But drivers need to play their part too by making simple vehicle checks, carrying a few important items and planning their journeys according to the weather.
In very severe weather, drivers need to consider whether their journey is really necessary.”
HA research shows that in the North West 72 per cent of drivers do not make any vehicle checks and almost half – 48 per cent – do not take any of the items in the suggested emergency kit such as de-icer or warm clothing.
Avoid non-essential trips and plan for essential ones
HA advise that if weather is very severe consider if your journey is essential or travel at a different time. In winter, the weather can change quickly so always be prepared for bad weather.
Highways Agency Traffic Management Director, Simon Sheldon-Wilson, says:
“The Highways Agency is well-prepared for ice and snow. We have over 500 salt spreading vehicles, ploughs and snow blowers, and 270,000 tonnes of salt already in stock.
Using detailed weather forecasts, we treat the road network before road temperatures fall below freezing – often at night in preparation for peak traffic periods.
But that doesn’t mean people should drive as they normally would – they still need to take care, as they would during any kind of adverse weather, and plan ahead.”
The Highways Agency provides real-time traffic information for the motorways and other strategic roads in England using a range of channels, including the web, social media and through national and local radio stations.
Drivers are encouraged to take some simple steps during winter.
- Check your vehicle – fuel and fluid levels, electrics and tyres before setting out;
- Emergenc Kit – be prepared with an emergency kit in your vehicle, including ice-scraper, de-icer, warm clothes and blankets, torch, boots, first aid kit, jump leads, a spade, a road atlas and sunglasses (for the winter glare);
- Plan your journeys – and check weather and travel conditions before and during your journey; and
- Ice danger – remember that even when roads have been treated with salt, ice can still form, particularly on bends or under overhanging trees.
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
HSE TO OVERSEE NEW BUILDING SAFETY REGIME
Government to deliver biggest change in building safety for a generation
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st January 2020CONTRACTS MANAGER HANDED TWO YEAR PRISON TERM
Safety fall arrest netting would have saved life of deceased workman
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 15th January 2020WORKER FATALLY INJURED BY CONCRETE BEAM
Lifting operation not properly planned, managed and supervised
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 15th January 2020TREE FELLING OPERATIONS LACKED DEFINED COMMS
Workman struck by falling tree inside “normal” exclusion zone
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020CONTRACTOR ARRESTED OVER WELFARE FAILINGS
Recalcitrant sole trader failed to attend court hearing
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020MAJOR DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR FINED £500,000
Collapse of concrete slab caused death of worker and excavator fall
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020FALL FROM LADDER WHILST CARRYING BUCKET
Contractor failed to provide basic safe lifting aids
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH HSE NOTICE PROVES COSTLY
Director given suspended jail term and company fined £60,000
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020DEVELOPER FAILED TO PLAN AND CHECK COMPETENCE
Fall caused by ad-hoc working methods and lack of monitoring
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020CYLINDER LEAK TEST CAUSED FATAL INJURIES
Corrosion inhibitor triggered failure and shrapnel ejection
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020FESTIVE GREETINGS TO ALL OUR READERS
Read the rest of this article »
JAIL TERM FOLLOWS ROUTINE HSE SPOT CHECK
Director of a roofing firm handed a suspended prison sentence
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 19th December 2019TEENAGER FELL 3M DURING BLOCK AND BEAM WORK
Workers uninstructed and left to devise own safe system of work
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 19th December 2019PARCEL CARRIER FINED HEAVILY OVER FLT INCIDENT
Reversing fork lift lacked segregation from pedestrians
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th December 2019CONTRACTOR FINED OVER FLOOR OPENING FALL
Thorough risk assessment and edge protection were both inadequate
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th December 2019THREE WORKERS “CARRIED ALONG” IN SEWER INCIDENT
Mentally affected and one man treated for long-term traumatic stress
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th December 2019SOLAR FIRM AND DIRECTOR SENTENCED OVER DEATH
Brother of business owner died in fall during panel installation
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 10th December 2019DIRECTOR AND COMPANY FINED FOR ASBESTOS RISK
HSE refurbishment campaign inspection revealed asbestos offences
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 10th December 2019BULK BAG COLLAPSE CAUSED BY UNSAFE STACKING
Bulk bag collapsed onto workman when struck by fork lift
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 9th December 2019INTERLOCKED GUARD NOT WORKING TO ISOLATE POWER
Two workmen seriously injured when plant started unexpectedly
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 9th December 2019STREET FURNITURE RISK TO PUBLIC FINED £1.4M
Council prosecuted following injury to child playing on hinged bollard
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 9th December 2019WORKMEN SUFFER SERIOUS BURNS FROM CABLE STRIKE
Assessment and system of work failed to appreciate electrical risk
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 29th November 2019LADDERS WERE INAPPROPRIATE FOR WORK ON ROOF
Workman paralysed after falling whilst installing roof ladder
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th November 2019FIRM FAILED TO MANAGE EXHAUST VENTILATION
HSE enforcement notices on wood dust and welding fume ignored
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 27th November 2019RECALCITRANT DIRECTOR BARRED FROM OFFICE
Dangerous telehandler used despite earlier fatality and enforcement
Posted on 25th November 2019
