Safety

1. Safety Alert 05/94 Committed to Safety Heavy Goods Vehicles Background On 26 May, an articulated trailer loaded with Zinc Bromide overturned. The cargo of drums were scattered. Three drums ruptured and 18 others began to leak. On 31 May, a tipper truck in the Ras Al Hamra area overturned onto its side whilst unloading aggregate. On 20 June, an articulated trailer unit loaded with a crane overturned and resulted in the death of the driver. Each of the incidents highlight the hazards associated with the operation of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV). Recommendations To Prevent Recurrence Supervisors of Heavy Goods Vehicles must therefore review these incidents with their drivers. A review of driving procedures specifically transporting of loads with a high centre of gravity should be made. Supervisors are requested to observe driver behaviours. Substandard behaviours should be corrected and positive behaviours should be commended. Learning Points Heavy Goods Vehicles, particularly articulated trucks, require a significantly higher level of driver skill than light vehicles. Vehicle speeds are of particular importance. Shifting of the load, driving of soft locations, manoeuvring in tight corners and speeds too high for the conditions have resulted in a number of significant accidents, the latest of which has been fatal. The skills necessary to drive HGV’s should not be underestimated.