Assessment of risks

A. if any one of the above hazards is rated medium or high then a vehicle fitted with restraints
must be used.

B. If any of hazards 1, 2, 3,4,6 or 8 are rated low then a vehicle fitted with restraints must be used.

C. If hazard 5 is rated low then the nature of tine obstacle must be considered in relation to other
hazards, such as likely speeds, and a decision made accordingly,

D. If hazard 7 is considered low then consideration could be given to the fitting of speed limiters or
audible or visual warning devices to indicate if a vehicle is being operated above an agreed
safe speed limit. (For a vehicle without restraints a safe speed would not be in excess of a fast walking pace - say 4 mph)

If all these hazards are assessed as insignificant then a vehicle without restraints may be used. Even under these circumstances the potential dangers should be made clear to those operators concerned. All managers and supervisors must be made aware of any restrictions that may have been imposed, and be alert to the need for even greater vigilance.

If the risk assessment shows that a truck may be operated without seat belts then some form of warning plate should be fitted in case the truck is used elsewhere. A typical plate is shown below.

Further information relating to this subject is contained in the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998) available from the HSE. The information sheets that are likely to be of assistance are:

HSE information sheet MISC 156 Hiring and leasing out of plant

HSE information sheet MISC 175 Retrofitting of roll over protection structures, restraining systems and their attachment points to mobile work equipment

HSE information sheet MISC 241 Fitting and use of restraining systems on lift trucks

Copies of the above documents are available from: HSE Books, PO Box 1999 Sudbury, Suffolk Telephone 01787 881165