Unsecured load falls on public highway

What happened?

Material measuring 900mm x 1500mm (35in x 59in) and weighing almost 7kg (15.4lbs) fell from the back of a facilities maintenance contractor vehicle while travelling along a public highway after leaving a power station.

The contractor was unaware that the material had fallen from the vehicle.

It was found on the side of the road by company staff the following morning.

Why did it happen?

Risks associated with transporting waste materials were not documented in the risk assessment for the works conducted by the facilities management contractor.

Hazard identification processes during loading did not identify the risks associated with load restraint. No load restraint was applied to secure the load during transport.

The vehicle did not meet industry standard.

What did they learn?

Include transporting waste materials in risk assessments conducted for facilities management work scopes.

Consult with all parties involved in the chain of responsibility to ensure that robust means of securing loads are used.

Conduct training for all parties involved in the chain of responsibility.

Carry out load restraint checks at the point of load.

Ensure that relevant chain of responsibility requirements and vehicle specifications are cascaded to contractors and their subcontractors.

Ask yourself or your crew

How do waste materials leave your site? Do your waste management contractors follow relevant chain of responsibility requirements? Do their vehicles meet industry standards?

Do you transport waste? How do you verify that your loads are secure?

What is your role in the chain of responsibility?

What happened?

Material measuring 900mm x 1500mm (35in x 59in) and weighing almost 7kg (15.4lbs) fell from the back of a facilities maintenance contractor vehicle while travelling along a public highway after leaving a power station.
The contractor was unaware that the material had fallen from the vehicle.
It was found on the side of the road by company staff the following morning.
Why did it happen?

Risks associated with transporting waste materials were not documented in the risk assessment for the works conducted by the facilities management contractor.
Hazard identification processes during loading did not identify the risks associated with load restraint. No load restraint was applied to secure the load during transport.
The vehicle did not meet industry standard.
What did they learn?

Include transporting waste materials in risk assessments conducted for facilities management work scopes.
Consult with all parties involved in the chain of responsibility to ensure that robust means of securing loads are used.
Conduct training for all parties involved in the chain of responsibility.
Carry out load restraint checks at the point of load.
Ensure that relevant chain of responsibility requirements and vehicle specifications are cascaded to contractors and their subcontractors.
Ask yourself or your crew

How do waste materials leave your site? Do your waste management contractors follow relevant chain of responsibility requirements? Do their vehicles meet industry standards?
Do you transport waste? How do you verify that your loads are secure?
What is your role in the chain of responsibility?