Transport Safety

CoP 1010.26

Transportation EHS Management System

• To be developed by owners / operators of vehicles

• All employees, inc. contractors, need to be aware of their responsibilities re. EHS

• All records to be maintained, e.g. driver training, vehicle inspection

Transport plan• Fitted seatbelts to be worn by drivers and passengers• Loads to be properly secured• Protective helmets where necessary, e.g.

motorcyclists• Fire extinguishers to be fitted to all vehicles• Schedules must allow for travel within speed limits,

rest-time and traffic conditions• Drivers must hold a license for the vehicle they are

operating• Any damage / malfunction to be reported• Vehicles to be maintained in accordance with

manufacturer’s instructions

Transport plan must explicitly not permit:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs

• Driving whilst taking prescribed drugs that can influence ability to drive

• Travelling anywhere (e.g. back of UTE) other than a location designed for human travel

• Eating, drinking, using a hand-held mobile whilst driving

Hazard & Risk-Management & Assessment

• Needs to be conducted at regular intervals• The life cycle of the operation to be considered,

inc. sourcing & disposal of vehicles• Hazards to be identified along with controls to

reduce risks• Likelihood and consequences of incidents to be

assessed• Emergency response in place

Common road transport hazards

Accidents can be caused by • driver, • environment or • vehicle

Human behaviour – the root cause of most accidents

• Untrained• Unaware of risks• Without defensive driving skills• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol• Speeding• Unsecured loads• Not using seatbelt• Stress/ fatigue• Lacking attention, judgment or experience• Impaired visibility, e.g. sunglare• Lack of knowledge of cargo

Hazards assoc. with vehicles

• Lack of safety features• Poor design• Inadequate maintenance

External factors contributing to fatal accidents

• Other vehicles• Traffic volume• Poor roads• Hazardous conditions, e.g. flood; sharp bend;

fog; road objects• Poor road markings • Inadequate time / planning

Risk reduction

• Avoid unnecessary journeys• Careful planning of routes• Reducing fuel consumption• Providing speed limiting systems• Safer vehicle design• Clear driver’s handbook• Use of material safety data sheets when

transporting HAZMATs• Placarding

Load• Do not carry freight in any vehicle that is not designed for that

purpose• Do not overload a vehicle• Position load so that vehicle is not damaged• Secure load• Make sure locks and security are adequate, especially for

vehicles carrying HAZMATs• Train driver to handle any possible HAZMAT incident• Carry MSDS inside the vehicle• Segregate all incompatible materials• Install audio-visual devices to warn a vehicle is reversing• Speed limit of particular vehicle to be displayed on vehicle• Maintain tyres at correct pressure• Use recommended tyres only

Carrying passengers

• Freight & passengers to be carried in separate compartments

• All occupants must wear a seatbelt• For off-road operations, rollbar protection is required

Pre-journey checks

• Entities must ensure the vehicle is road-worthy & fitted with safety equipment

• Entities & drivers must:• Check vehicle daily & weekly against a checklist• Defects that impact on safety are reported, and

the vehicle is not used until the defect is repaired

• Drivers are expected to be responsible for safety status of vehicle

Regular maintenance

• Establish a maintenance schedule• Set appropriate standards• Ensure checklists are complete and cover all safety aspects• Make available qualified personnel to inspect & maintain

vehicles• Keep a supply of spare parts• Design a system to facilitate the reporting of defects by

drivers• Remove defective vehicles from service until repairs are

done

Vehicle signs, marks & placards

• All signage to conform with GHS• All necessary signs to be displayed• Information to be issued in Arabic & English• Any road signs (private roads etc) must

conform with national standards• Signs to be inspected regularly

Driver training• All drivers to attend an induction course which covers:• Key policies & rules• Local culture & attitudes to driving• UAE traffic regulations• Driving risks & related statistics• Journey management• Defensive driving techniques• Effects of medication, drugs & alcohol on driving• Vehicle information• Benefits of seatbelts• Appropriate cargo knowledge• Responsibility for care, cleanliness, inspection & maintenance of

vehicles• Emergency procedures

Desert driving

• Vehicle must be suited to desert (tyres, AWD, roll protection, tyre pressure) & include GPS & communication systems

• Vehicle to carry sufficient water for everyone on board & desert survival box

Desert-Driver training- drivers have to know how to deal with the following:

• Recognise desert hazards & how to avoid• Sandstorms• Becoming lost• Dehydration, heatstroke• Dangers of animals, esp camels• Getting stuck in a blow-hole or soft sand• Vehicle breaking down or overheating

Emergency plans shall make provisions for:

• Driver getting lost• Vehicle stolen• Vehicle off-road• Overturned vehicle• Vehicle / load fire• Collisions involving fatalities• Loss of cargo• Leaking HAZMATs• Pollution accident

THE END