Safety campaign aims to 'drive danger out'

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has launched a safety awareness campaign called ‘Drive Danger Out’ with the help of Councillor Paul Dunlop from Antrim & Newtownabbey Council.

The campaign aims to to promote HSENIs ongoing inspection programme aimed at reducing the number of people killed or injured as a result of incidents involving workplace transport.

The awareness campaign will include television and radio advertising, outdoor advertising across Northern Ireland, and social media messaging The campaign has been launched with a mobile billboard visiting every council area in Northern Ireland, to promote awareness of the risks associated with workplace transport, and urging extra care and attention, whether in a factory, construction site, quarry, farm or any workplace.

 In the ten years to 2022 incidents involving workplace vehicles across almost all work setting claimed the lives of 34 workers and left 162 others with serious injuries. 

The campaign has been supported and endorsed by the Department for the Economy, and a range of industry representative bodies, including Construction Employers Federation (CEF), Manufacturing NI, Waste Industry Safety & Health Committee (NI) (WISHNI), Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland (MPANI), Utility Regulator and the NI Safety Group.

 Incidents resulting in death or injury include, workers being struck by a vehicle, vehicles overturning, falling from or being thrown from a vehicle, and injuries resulting from items falling from unsecured loads. The vehicles involved include forklift trucks, dumper trucks, telehandlers, quad bikes, tractors, lorries, vans and cars.

 Many of the incidents have been caused by poor segregation of vehicles and pedestrians, inadequate driver training, poor visibility from a vehicle, lack of vehicle maintenance, working on unsafe slopes and surfaces, and poor lighting. There are often simple checks and safety precautions which can be put in place, which reduce risk and can help avoid unnecessary accidents.

Councillor Paul Dunlop welcomed the campaign and urged every workplace to get behind its vital message: “It’s important that Drive Danger Out reaches as many people as possible,

“I’m pleased to see that it will be supported with a widespread media campaign.

“If this can promotion can prevent even one tragedy in the workplace it will have been well worthwhile. I would encourage everyone to do their part to make sure everyone they work with is reminded of both the risks and how to prevent incidents occurring.”

To support employers, advice and guidance along with inspection proformas detailing key aspects of workplace transport safety for each industry are available at: www.hseni.gov.uk/

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