Avoid falls from vehicles

Falls from vehicles are a common cause of injuries. To help protect your employees you should look at the dangers they face as part of your regular risk assessments. This may include falls from delivery vehicles or from vehicles used within your premises. See our guide on risk assessment - an overview.

The safest course of action is to eliminate the need to climb onto vehicles in the first place - by providing a loading platform, for instance. Both petrol and diesel engines produce carbon monoxide, soot and other contaminants. It's your responsibility to prevent or at least control exposure.

Where climbing onto a vehicle is unavoidable, you can reduce the risks by using suitable access equipment such as walkways with guard rails. Restrict access to people who must be there.You should ensure that drivers, other employees and visitors understand safety practices. These include only carrying passengers on suitable vehicles and forbidding jumping onto a moving vehicle Exhaust emissions are at best unhealthy. At worst they can be fatal.


As part of your health and safety responsibilities, you are legally required to manage the risks from harmful substances. See our guide on how to manage harmful substances safely completely enclosed spaces, you must use electric-propulsion or possibly liquefied petroleum gas fuel to avoid a build-up of fumes.