Lorry drivers' safety a priority in treacherous weather conditions

Haulage and distribution companies should take care of workers who will be driving on the roads in treacherous weather conditions - a leading health and safety body for professionals has urged.

This warning arrives amidst news of jack-knifed lorries on major routes across the UK and further severe weather warnings predicting more snow and ice for the rest of the week.

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Retail and Distribution Group Chair Sean Cusack said companies, route planners and lorry drivers all had a part to play in ensuring employees' safety.

He added: “Unfortunately for lorry drivers there isn't a risk-free way for them to go about their work in extreme snow or ice.

“Route planners, where possible, should consider both choice of route and choice of time for travel. Normally, they choose the quickest delivery routes, but in bad weather that can't always be the case. Instead, we would urge them not to take any chances and choose those known to consist of well-gritted roads.”

Ice and snow become more dangerous at night because of plunging temperatures and poor visibility. Sean has also encouraged planners to minimise the number of night-time deliveries where they can, in a bid to mitigate the increased risk of accidents or becoming stranded. This may mean making temporary changes to both drivers' and customers' normal schedules.

As for lorry drivers themselves, he added: “Employees should be taking warm clothes and provisions such as hot drinks with them in case they get stuck. If the worst comes to the worst, they should always have a mobile phone for use in an emergency.

“Keeping constantly aware of their location will also help if they reach a point where rescue is the only option.

“Lorry drivers sometimes try to free their vehicles because they think it will be quicker. We would urge them not to be tempted to do this as it can often cause an injury, leaving them unable to work while putting extra pressure on the emergency services.”

He urged the haulage industry as a whole to be extra vigilant when loading and driving trucks, to help reduce the risk of jack-knifing on untreated roads.

These are the items that an essential drivers' toolkit should include, as recommended by the Highways Agency:

• A well-maintained vehicle.
• Map, to cope with route diversions
• Shovel (for emergency use only, bearing in mind the above)
• Blanket
• Food and a warm drink
• Appropriate footwear, such as waterproof boots
• Torch
• De-icer
• High-vis jacket
• Reflective triangle
• Mobile phone and in-cab charger for use in emergency situations