Heavy Goods Vehicles

1
05/94

Committed to
Safety

Heavy Goods Vehicles Background On 26 May, an
articulated trailer loaded with Zinc Bromide
overturned. The cargo of drums were scattered.
Three drums ruptured and 18 others began to
leak. On 31 May, a tipper truck in the Ras Al
Hamra area overturned onto its side whilst
unloading aggregate. On 20 June, an articulated
trailer unit loaded with a crane overturned and
resulted in the death of the driver. Each of the
incidents highlight the hazards associated with
the operation of Heavy Goods Vehicles
(HGV). Recommendations To Prevent
Recurrence Supervisors of Heavy Goods Vehicles
must therefore review these incidents with their
drivers. A review of driving procedures
specifically transporting of loads with a high
centre of gravity should be made. Supervisors are
requested to observe driver behaviours.
Substandard behaviours should be corrected and
positive behaviours should be commended. Learning
Points Heavy Goods Vehicles, particularly
articulated trucks, require a significantly
higher level of driver skill than light vehicles.
Vehicle speeds are of particular importance.
Shifting of the load, driving of soft locations,
manoeuvring in tight corners and speeds too high
for the conditions have resulted in a number of
significant accidents, the latest of which has
been fatal. The skills necessary to drive HGVs
should not be underestimated.