Description
Under UK law, all commercial vehicles are obliged to carry first aid. The transport industry operates within disparate conditions and consequently has diverse needs. Many drivers continually work away from their base or company HQ, and often require overnight breaks in the cab while in the UK or abroad. These circumstances present specific risks, and it is imperative that employers make certain their valuable employees are suitably protected. In the event of injury or accident, a first aid kit that is easily reached, user-friendly, and stocked with vital items is an absolute necessity. The HGV kit goes beyond the minimum requirements of the Public Service Vehicle ( PSV), Act 1981. Carefully chosen items cater for broader risk, including eye wash, extra-large and medium sized dressings, a resuscitation shield, and an emergency survival blanket. The divergence of risk between running a local taxi service and operating a fleet of HGV’s carrying dangerous goods and chemicals far afield, these additions may be indispensable. SAFETY ON THE ROAD Numerous laws, regulations, and agreements apply to the operation of heavy goods vehicles at home and overseas. The priorities are cited as ‘safety, security, and environmental protection’. The UK government lists first aid kits as one of “the essentials” for international road haulage, and many countries outside the UK require them as a condition of travel. Additionally, consider other items that may need to be carried, for instance, warning triangles, reflective jackets, and fire extinguishers (mandatory in some countries). A full risk assessment is not merely compulsory; when choosing first aid supplies, it could lead to a lifesaving decision.
