29 April 2004 - New HSE Guidance - Transporting Paper Safely (INDG 396)
Every year the UK uses around 12 million tonnes of paper and most of it is transported by road in curtain-sided trailers, which is generally loaded or unloaded by use of fork-lift truck activities. The HSE has published new guidance, Transporting Paper Safely, on improving health and safety when transporting paper and paper products.
One of the significant hazards that arise are when rollovers occur at sharp bends and roundabouts at very low speeds, something that can mostly be prevented by a better developed system of loading and safe driving.
Transporting Paper Safely (INDG 396) single copies available, free, from HSE Books here.
The leaflet is also available in priced packs of 5, ISBN 0 7176 2837 X.
James Barrett, Head of HSE's Manufacturing Sector commented:
"Transporting paper is big business. It's amazing how much paper is moved around the country every day. Unfortunately accidents can happen and almost every month the HSE hears about an incident involving transporting paper or paper products. Luckily most of the incidents do not involve injury. When they do, the consequences for workers, or even passing motorists can be fatal. All too often the reason why a reel of paper falls from a lorry in a yard is because something has gone wrong with the system used to secure the load on the trailer, or the load has shifted in transit and falls out when the side curtains are opened. In some cases the risks are taken onto the road and lorries roll over or shed their loads onto passing motorists with obvious consequences. We produced this guidance with the help of producers, hauliers, trades unions and many others in the industry. Following the precautions outlined in the guidance on loading and securing paper, and when driving lorries transporting paper, will reduce the risk of incident and injury."
