Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls from Truck Cabins

WorkSafe’s latest health and safety publications focuses on safety around trucks

What is the problem?

Truck drivers slipping or falling when getting in/out of the truck cabin. The ability to safely get in/out of the cabin relies on drivers being able to maintain three points of contact with hand rails and step surfaces without needing to adopt awkward postures. This can be affected by hand rail/step/door and cabin design, work demands leading to drivers getting in/out of the truck quickly, environmental conditions and footwear.

What are the risks?

Slips, trips and falls while getting in/out of the truck cabin can result in severe musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures, sprains and strains. These risks arise regardless of the height of the cabin from the ground.

What is a solution to the problem?

Risks for existing trucks can be reduced by:

• developing a procedure and training drivers to safely get into and out of the cabin. This should emphasise maintaining three points of contact and facing the cabin at all times. Drivers and supervisors should be familiar with the procedure.

Note: Ensure variations in cabin design across the fleet are considered as part of this process.

• having a system to enable drivers to replace footwear if tread is worn and ensuring footwear is kept clean of mud and other contaminants
• ensuring drivers park in well-lit areas with an even landing surface.

When purchasing new or used vehicles, consider the design of the truck and cabin access. Risks can be reduced by:

• ensuring drivers can maintain a balanced posture when getting in/out of the cabin
• placing hand rails on both sides of the cabin door opening
• ensuring steps and hand rails are within easy reach
• looking for steps that are non-slip and deep enough to enable a constant grip between feet and the step surface
• checking the alignment of the cabin door, seat edge and steering column allows easy movement in/out of the seat
• ensuring steps have the same dimensions (tread and distance) to prevent misjudging of depth/height
• giving drivers (and HSR’s where available) the opportunity to test getting into and out of the cabin, wearing their regular work boots, before making purchasing decisions
• integrating lighting into steps to enable clear visibility of the access path. Alternatively, using a contrasting colour along the entire path (steps and hand rails) can also aid visibility and depth perception
• having a system to enable drivers to replace footwear if tread is worn and ensuring footwear is kept clean of mud and other contaminants.

Note: Some truck designs incorporate integrated steps that lever outwards to enable drivers to face forward when getting into or out of the cabin.

A copy of the Health and Safety Alert can be downloaded from the WorkSafe website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

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