Transport related accidents are responsible for the larger percentage of lost time accidents and fatalities. To ensure a safe operation it is essential to prepare procedures and guidelines for staff, contractors and visitors in the field.
Safety must be assigned a line responsibility. The following guide-lines provide a basis for the development of transport safety procedures:
- Emergency procedures inclusive of Medevac are required, which should be tested through table-top exercises in order that lines of communication, responsibilities and action parties are already defined and understood. Such procedures should identify medical resources and hospitals which have been nominated in the event of an emergency.
- All passenger vehicles are to be fitted with inertia type seat belts for all passengers and driver. All passenger seats are to be forward facing. Bench seats fitted longitudinally are not permitted.
- Seat belts are to be worn at all times by driver and passengers. Drivers to ensure that passengers are "belted up" prior to starting journey.
- No night driving to be permitted. Restricted departure times calculated from given location to given destination must ensure that the vehicle arrives at the destination prior to darkness with a margin of thirty minutes.
- Field vehicles are to be equipped with safety equipment. In the event of a vehicle breakdown it is imperative that the driver and passengers remain with the vehicle until a secondary or search vehicle arrives.
- A search and rescue procedure is to be prepared for vehicles that have failed to report at their nominated destination.
- All company drivers are to undergo a medical and eyesight examination prior to engagement.
- All transport (haulage) vehicles, cranes and civil engineering equipment/ vehicles are to be fitted with reversing alarms.
- All cargo handling equipment required for the safe handling and transportation of a large assortment of items of all shapes sizes and weight must have valid certification. Such equipment is to be regularly checked and maintained. Adequate replacement back-up should be available for items which are used frequently.
- In view of the remoteness of drilling locations, the drilling contractor should provide a 4WD ambulance.