THE Health and Safety Executive has launched a three-year crackdown on transport-related accidents at the workplace. The initiative - which covers areas such as factories, warehouses and construction sites - is the second phase of a programme which began in 1995 to promote the use of effective management as a tool to reduce accidents.

Its aim is to advise employers on how they can control risks, for instance through assessment and training of drivers, and to let them know that inspectors will take enforcement action where necessary. The most common type of accidents involving workplace transport is people being hit by vehicles, with about 25% of fatalities caused by reversing vehicles.

Measures which can help avoid accidents include segregation of vehicles and pedestrians, suitable parking facilities on site, and ensuring that driving routes around the workplace avoid blind or sharp bends. During the initiative, inspectors - from the HSE and local authorities - will examine all these areas to determine whether transport safety is being managed effectively and will, where necessary, take action against employers.