Working Safely in Logistics

Know about health and safety in a logistic environment.

• Key aspects of the Health and Safety at Work Act
  Employers – provide and maintain safety equipment and safe systems of work; ensure materials are properly stored; provide information, training, instruction and supervision; provide a safe working environment; provide a written safety policy; conduct risk assessments.
• Common types of accidents
  Falls from vehicles; being hit by a moving vehicle; security of loads; manual handling, slips and trips; noise.
• Impact of accidents
  Death; serious injury; stress; loss of employment; disablement; redeployed; long term sickness; loss of pay; restricted duties.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  State the key aspects of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

• 1.2

  Give examples of the most common types of accidents in a logistic environment.

• 1.3

  Explain how accidents in a logistic environment impact employees.

Know about personal protective equipment used in a logistics environment.

Personal protective equipment

• Specialised clothing worn by employees to protect against potential or real hazards and risks.
• Eye protection – goggles and shields; hearing protection – ear plugs and ear muffs; hand protection – creams and gloves; foot protection – reinforced boots and shoes; head protection – hats, caps and helmets.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Outline how different types of personal protective equipment protect from injury/harm in a logistic environment.

Know about health and safety practices and procedures in a logistics environment.

• Reacting to incidents
  Take control of the incident; ensure first aid is administered if required; contact ambulance/medical services if required; control possible secondary incidents; inform superiors; ensure accident records are updated.

• Employer’s responsibility
  Investigate cause of the incident; instigate measures to prevent a reoccurrence; revisit risk assessment; report to regulatory body if required; review training requirements if required; revisit relevant policies and procedures if required; review accident records.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  State what employees should do in response to different health and safety incidents in a logistic environment.

• 3.2

  Outline an employer’s health and safety responsibilities after an incident has taken place in a logistic environment.

Know how to take responsibility for health and safety in a logistics environment.

• Improving own personal well-being
  Stay fit and healthy; take regular breaks; eat and drink appropriately during work time; seek support if required; ask for flexible working arrangements; use workplace gyms if provided; avoid damaging conflict; take part in well-being initiatives (e.g. lunchtime walking group).
• Maintaining own workspace
  Important for avoiding accidents and maintaining effective and efficient productivity.
  Throw away rubbish correctly; clean work area at least daily; don’t eat at place of work; don’t stock pile (e.g. packing tape and boxes); follow organisational guidelines; reduce clutter; store equipment safely.
• Responsibility for self and others
  Take reasonable care; co-operate with an employer; report incidents/accidents; report hazards; avoid wearing inappropriate clothing; cover long hair; insist on proper training; using protective equipment where provided; report the use of medication.

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Give examples of ways in which an employee can improve own personal wellbeing in a logistics environment.

• 4.2

  Outline ways in which to maintain own workspace in a clean and tidy condition in a logistic environment.

• 4.3

  Give examples of ways in which an employee is responsible for the health and safety of themselves and others in a logistic environment.