Health, safety & environment

Even though a risk assessment and adequate controls had been implemented, a worker fell 1.2m from a loading bay and died whilst accessing the rear of his lorry. What went wrong and how can you avoid a similar accident at your site?

Defensive driving can be highly beneficial for businesses that involve transportation or fleet operations. What is it and how can it help your business?

The owner of a garage has been jailed after a worker was crushed to death by a vehicle whilst working underneath it. What led up to the tragedy and what can you do to keep your workers safe?

A Kent waste company has been fined £150,000 for several health and safety breaches. Why were the notices issued and why did the company receive a fine for non-compliance?

An East Yorkshire garden landscaping supply company has been fined after an employee died while loading a lorry. What were the circumstances of the accident and what safe working practices should you use to prevent a similar incident?

Why the change? The Drivers’ Hours, Tachographs, International Road Haulage and Licencing of Operators Regulations 2022 have been amended. These Regulations implement aspects of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK, entered into on 30 December 2020, relating to road freight and passenger transport, mainly in the area of drivers’ hours and tachograph rules. They primarily reinstate provisions that were removed or amended in preparation for Brexit. What were the changes? The amendments include goods vehicles over 2.5 tonnes on international journeys, from 1 July 2026; and provides an exemption from that date for vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used for own account international journeys and not for hire or reward. Drive time rules. The maximum two-weekly drive time is 90 hours, with the maximum weekly drive time of 56 hours. The maximum daily drive time is nine hours. Tachograph rules on breaks. After every 4.5 hours of driving time, the driver should have at least a 45-minute break. How might this affect your business? Failure to incorporate these changes could lead to either a prohibition notice, a fine or points on the licence or the vehicle being immobilised if it’s a danger to road safety - you’ll have to fix the problem and pay a release charge. ...