The Risk of Being Injured by a Moving Work Vehicle

How To Claim Compensation For Injury At Work

Workplace safety is a top priority for businesses, including the risk of being injured by a moving work vehicle. From construction sites and warehouses to delivery depots and farms, workers can be injured every year due to incidents involving workplace transport.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recently fined a waste and recycling company after an employee was run over on his first day working there. A moving shovel loader hit him from behind as he was hand picking waste. He suffered a bone fracture and muscle and nerve damage to his leg.

The HSE found that the company did not have adequate control and safety measures in place for the safe segregation of pedestrians and vehicles.

Employers have a legal duty to ensure their workers’ safety. If you have suffered from this type of injury caused by your employer’s failure to properly manage workplace transport risks, you may want to pursue a claim for compensation.

If you have been involved in an accident at work, we partner with lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis who can assess your case.

Why Moving Vehicle Incidents Happen in the Workplace

Workplace vehicle incidents occur for a range of reasons. These may include poor site design, inadequate segregation of pedestrians and vehicles, lack of visibility. Additionally, pressured working environments and insufficient training all contribute to accidents involving moving vehicles.

Even experienced drivers and operators can make errors in busy, high-pressure environments. Companies are required to ensure that vehicle movements in the workplace should always be planned, controlled, and supervised.

Workplaces that don’t clearly separate vehicle and pedestrian routes, or where vehicles operate in confined or cluttered spaces, are particularly high-risk.

Furthermore, poorly maintained vehicles and insufficient warning systems, such as reversing alarms or visual signals, can increase the likelihood of serious incidents.

Common Injuries from Moving Vehicle Incidents

When accidents involving moving vehicles occur in the workplace, potentially serious injuries may result. Some of the most common types of injuries include:

• Fractures and broken bones: Often resulting from being struck by a vehicle or trapped between a vehicle and a stationary object.
• Crush injuries: Can occur if a worker is pinned against a wall, barrier, or another object by a moving vehicle.
• Head injuries: Being knocked over by a vehicle or falling due to evasive action can lead to concussions, skull fractures, or brain trauma.
• Amputations: In severe cases, incidents involving moving machinery and vehicles can result in partial or full amputations.
• Soft tissue injuries: These include bruises, cuts, and strains, often sustained when attempting to avoid a moving vehicle.

Workplaces Where Vehicle-Related Injuries May Occur

Any workplace with vehicle activity can pose a risk. However some sectors and environments have a higher risk of injuries as they have a number of vehicles in the work environment:

Construction Sites

Construction environments are inherently hazardous due to the range of heavy machinery and vehicles in operation. Dumpers, excavators, telehandlers, and concrete mixers frequently move around sites where pedestrian workers are present.

Warehouses and Distribution Centres

Forklift trucks, pallet trucks, and delivery lorries create a busy and potentially risky working environment. The combination of fast-paced operations, limited visibility, and shared pedestrian routes may lead to serious accidents.

Agricultural Settings

Farms see a wide range of vehicles in use, from tractors and combine harvesters to quad bikes and trailers. The variety of terrain and lack of formalised vehicle routes contribute to the danger of accidents.

Factories and Manufacturing Plants

Internal transport such as forklifts, tug trucks, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) pose risks within factory environments. This is particularly hazardous when pedestrian areas are not well demarcated.

Transport and Logistics Depots

Busy yards where lorries, vans, and delivery vehicles are constantly arriving and departing creates a high risk environment for both drivers and ground employees.

Airports and Docks

Airports and maritime ports are high-risk zones. This is due to the sheer volume and variety of service vehicles operating alongside foot traffic. It can often be in tight or congested areas.

Be Aware of These Workplace Vehicles

Certain vehicles are more frequently involved in workplace transport incidents. Workers should be careful around the following:

• Forklift Trucks: Common in warehouses, factories, and yards, forklifts may be  involved in numerous workplace accidents. This is due to their size, manoeuvrability issues, and limited rear visibility.
• Dumpers and Excavators: Heavy machinery used on construction sites can cause serious injuries if operators are unaware of pedestrian workers nearby.
• Delivery Lorries and Vans: These vehicles frequently move in and out of loading bays and delivery areas. Consequently they pose a constant risk, especially when reversing.
• Agricultural Vehicles: Tractors, harvesters, and quad bikes, often used in varied terrain and weather conditions which can add to the risk of potential injury.
• Ride-on Sweepers and Tug Trucks: Common in airports, docks, and factories, these vehicles can be hazardous if routes aren’t clearly segregated.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Workplace Vehicle Accident

If you’ve been injured by a moving vehicle while at work, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim. It’s important to know that your employer has a legal duty to provide a safe working environment.

So, if your injury was caused by your employer’s failure to properly manage workplace transport risks, you may have a grounds for compensation. Such failure may include: inadequate site layout, lack of training, poor vehicle maintenance, or insufficient safety measures.

Any employee, contractor, agency worker, or visitor injured by a moving vehicle in a workplace environment can potentially make a claim. A personal injury claim may typically cover:

• General Damages: Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.
• Special Damages: Covering financial losses such as lost earnings, medical expenses, travel costs for treatment, and any future care needs.

How to Start a Personal Injury Claim

To begin a claim, it’s advisable to contact a solicitor who specialises in workplace personal injury claims. Make sure you have reported the accident to your employer and that it was logged in the accident book. Keep all medical records regarding the injury and collect evidence such as any CCTV footage.

The friendly team at Jefferies Claims can guide you through a potential claim. We work with highly experienced lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis.  Call us today at 0333 358 3034 or visit Jefferies Claims Contact Page for a free, no-obligation consultation.