SWP: Driving Tug Units with Trailers

Ref No:POS_SWP 26 Driving Tug

Units with Trailers

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Date:

Key Hazards

Risks

Personal Protective Equipment

1. Traffic

2. Pedestrians

3. Weather conditions

4. Mechanical failure

5. Site/Road conditions

6. Loads or attachments

7. Noise

8. Fatigue

1. Accidents involving other vehicles or pedestrians.

2. Overturning

3. Loss of load

4. Hearing damage

As appropriate for the vehicle or item of plant, in accordance with policy and manufacturer’s instructions.

Do

• Ensure you are fully qualified and in possession of the skills, fitness and licence required to carry out the driving duties asked of you.

• Remember, you are responsible at all times for the safety of your vehicle and load.

• Prior to use and complete check sheets in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions

• Walk around your machine to ensure it is free from obstructions or people.

• Keep your machine tidy and free from tools, personal property and other obstructions that may foul the controls.

• When reversing, satisfy yourself that the way is clear. It is preferable to use a banksman, especially where there are obstructions to vision.

• Always wear seatbelts provided.

• Check guards, chains, shafts etc. are in good order and in date for test where appropriate.

• Ensure headlights and/or flashing beacons are used, as appropriate.

• Keep to the designated traffic route, and within the defined speed limit or agreed limits when speed adjustments have been made to allow for load or conditions.

• Minimise the distance that vehicles have to reverse.
  
  

• Be aware of the presence of other workers or members of the public.

• Ensure that load is lashed to the bed of the trailer prior to travelling on public highways. This will be reviewed by the Cargo dept prior to any movement on the Port estate and its requirement decided.

• Ensure that any snow or ice is removed from the trailer bed prior to any travel.

• Avoid conducting full lock turns when laden. Wherever possible, turn the unit and trailer without a load.

• Ensure that the trailer hand brake is applied when detached from a unit.

• Ensure that advice is sought from port control about any deteriorations in weather conditions that may be due.

• Where possible, any abnormal loads should be moved around the Port estate during silent hours when non- essential personnel numbers are minimal.

• When railway sleepers are utilised on the trailer bed as dunnage they must be secured prior to any movement of the unit.

• Routes to be taken should be confirmed prior to moving cargo.

Do Not

 Do not carry unauthorised passengers.

 Do not allow passengers to ride anywhere other than in the seat provided (one bum, one seat!).

 No vehicle shall be used for towing unless it is equipped for the purpose.

 Never ride on towbars or towed equipment.

 Never leave a vehicle unattended unless it is stopped and isolated.

 Do not remain in the vehicle when being loaded by mechanical means, except where cab protection is fitted.

 Never overload the vehicle, but ensure all loads are secure.

 Never smoke or use mobile devices when refuelling machine, use funnels to avoid spillage.

 Never use a machine you know to be defective. Report to your manager.

 Never use vehicles or plant for a purpose for which it is not intended

 Staff should not eat, drink, or wear headphones when driving.

 Mobile phone use prohibited and enforced when driving.

 Staff should be fit to operate vehicle/plant and must ensure that they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

 Exceed the rated capacity of the unit or trailer. Remember to only load up to limit of

the lowest SWL of the pair.

 Travel at more than 1mph when travelling over port speed control measures in laden or unladen vehicles/plant.

 Travel with the unit in inclement weather without a full assessment of the conditions being conducted.

 Transit beneath the goose-neck when fitted.

Specific Training Requirements:

• Appropriate plant operator ticket. Current driving license for class of vehicle, where necessary (See overleaf of Driving License for specific requirements)

• Basic Training - through an accredited training provider training to the standards outlined in the L117 ACOP.

• Specific job training - tailored to the needs of the organisation.

• Familiarisation training - Familiarisation training is the third stage of training, which should be carried out on the job, under close supervision, by

someone with appropriate knowledge.

Risk Assessments:

• POS 01_Working at Heights

• POS 02_Use of Ladders

• POS 05_Slips & Trips

• POS 06_Manual Handling

• POS 07_Stress

• POS 08_Driving at Work

• POS 09_First Aid

• POS 10_Young and Inexperienced Workers

• POS 11_Operating Plant and Machinery

• POS 13_Inclement or Extreme Weather

• POS 21_Handling_Steel_Products

SWP:

• POS_SWP 07_Forklift Truck Operations

• POS_SWP 08_Use of Lifting Gear

• POS_SWP 10_Handling Pulp

• POS_SWP 16_ Driving Port Vehicles

• POS_SWP 18_Handling steel coils

• POS_SWP 19_Handling of steel plates

• POS_SWP 20_Handling of steel slabs

• POS_SWP 22_Handling Timber Products

• POS_SWP 23_Handling Paper Reels

• POS_SWP 27_Moving Abnormal Loads