Driver safety zones

Importance of driver safety zones

Truck driver safety around powered mobile plant during loading and unloading is a significant safety issue. Many serious injuries and fatalities have happened when mobile plant, like forklifts, hit or crush pedestrians. Even a slow-moving forklift can crush injure or cause fatal injuries to pedestrians.

If a truck driver is required to leave their vehicle during the loading/unloading process, your workplace should have a DSZ to protect them from mobile plant movements. A DSZ is a zone free of interaction between mobile plant and drivers. This is typically achieved by using a physical barrier. This helps prevent accidents and makes sure everyone knows where they should be. This also ensures forklift operators can do their job safely.

Loading or unloading by mobile plant shouldn’t start until the driver is in the DSZ.

Designing a driver safety zone

Before designing a DSZ, you should consult with truck drivers, mobile plant operators, supervisors and the Health and Safety Representative (HSR), if available. This will help with:

• generating the best design ideas
• ensuring ‘buy-in’ from drivers and mobile plant operators when DSZ processes are put in place.

DSZs need to be designed to make sure the driver of the vehicle is safe and protected from injury during loading and unloading movements.

There are several factors to consider when designing and selecting an appropriate location for a DSZ. You should design a DSZ that is adequate for the size and operations of your business.

Access

Drivers should enter the DSZ using a marked and barricaded access point. The DSZ should include physical barriers that separate the driver from mobile plant movement. The DSZ should also include inward-swinging gates.

Visibility

Drivers need to be able to see the freight being loaded/unloaded from the DSZ. The DSZ should be in an area where mobile plant drivers can see everyone in the DSZ.

Barriers

The DSZ should be protected by suitable barriers. The barriers should be strong enough to protect from mobile plant. The DSZ should have self-closing gates as access points. Barriers can include high-impact barriers, bollards or steel railings.

Size

The DSZ should be big enough for a maximum number of drivers that may need to be there at any one time. This may include enough space to socially distance, if necessary.

Amenities

The drivers should have clear and safe access from the DSZ to an area that has amenities. Amenities can include toilets, showers, kitchens and coffee machines. They should be hygienic, safe and accessible for all genders.

Fit for purpose

The DSZ should be in an area where the driver is protected from the weather. This includes hot and wet weather. It should also include seating.

Signage

There should be clear signage to designate the area. Signage typically includes instructions for the drivers to follow while their truck is being loaded or unloaded by mobile plant.

Employee training

Make sure employees in your workplace are trained in the use of DSZs. You should include use and requirements of the DSZs in the site-specific safety instructions.

Using a driver safety zone

After you have parked your vehicle and completed any required process (such as removing gates or tie-downs), look for the DSZ. It should be clearly signed. If you can’t see the DSZ, ask the loading or unloading operator for directions.

Check for passing mobile plant as you make your way over to the DSZ.

Make sure you stay in the DSZ until all mobile plant has stopped. You should be able to see the freight being loaded/unloaded from the DSZ.

As a truck driver, you should be provided with a DSZ that is safe and comfortable. If not, speak to the person managing the workplace, your employer or your HSR.