According to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics, 11 people were killed by workplace transport in a 10-year period in the food and drink industries, and a further 10 by workplace transport related incidents.
And each year over 200 people are struck by forklift trucks (FLTs) when working in food and drink factories*.
To help boost efficiency and reduce the number of incidents contributing to injuries and lost time, preferred regulatory body for workplace transport training, RTITB, is offering a workplace transport ‘HealthCheck’ to all businesses in the food and drink sector.
“It’s so important to ensure that all aspects of supply chain and logistics meet safety standards to avoid incidents, from staff training, equipment maintenance, the operating environment or company processes,” explains Laura Nelson, Managing Director, RTITB. “It can also help to improve the bottom line, through avoiding lost time and absences.”
The ‘RTITB HealthCheck’ is an indepth analysis and evaluation audit service, which has been designed to aid compliance with legislation, identify efficiency and safety improvements, and to determine areas where change could lead to reduced costs. It identifies any unsafe activities or practices which could cause incidents in a workplace and provides a professional report of findings and guidance on what next steps a business may take to address these findings.
An RTITB workplace transport technical expert, internationally qualified as a Lead Auditor, attends the site to assess the workplace environment and practices, and then provides an in-depth training systems audit and workplace transport operations analysis to clearly highlight any areas which require updating.
RTITB draws on its 50 years of experience to offer a holistic, analytical approach to workplace safety. The HealthCheck will help companies identify and reduce risk and operational costs for all aspects of workplace transport operations (including manual handling, material handling equipment and large goods vehicles). Examinations will include a physical review of operational areas, operational standards and processes on all machine and vehicle types, key custody arrangements, management and supervision of operations, operators and drivers, plus inspection of incident and near miss reporting, external contractor processes and record keeping.
“Any business can request an RTITB health check – this service is not restricted to RTITB members,” adds Laura. “Workplace transport safety is a very important issue and we want to help as many businesses address it as possible.”
RTITB provides a comprehensive range of information, giving a clear and accurate picture of the workplace operation in question.
Full written reports are provided upon analysis conclusion, so that employers can quickly rectify any issues that may lead to incidents.
“The best way for operations or HR managers to ensure that duties and training are being carried out correctly and safely is for the workplace to be assessed by an external company,” says Laura Nelson.
“The first priority for most businesses is the safety of employees but RTITB also understands that incidents can cost companies money. Workplace transport poses a number of potential dangers, but RTITB is working hard to help businesses prevent improper practices, which can cost money and lives,” adds Laura Nelson.
For more information on the RTITB HealthCheck download the information sheet at www.rtitb.info/health-checkinformation- download/, or call Jane Hughes on +44 (0)1952 520207.
* www.hse.gov.uk/food/transport.htm
Jane Hughes
Tel: 01952 520207
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