Lawford Kidd's Blog

There has been a 16% rise in the number of fatalities on Scotland’s roads, with totals rising from 172 in 2013 to 200 in 2014, according to the latest provisional figures from Transport Scotland.

There was also a 1% increase in the number of people seriously injured. However, the total number of casualties has apparently fallen by 2%, from 11,504 to 11,240.

Looking at the figures in more detail, they show that 18 more pedestrians were killed in 2014 than in 2013, but five fewer pedal cyclists. In addition, the number of motorcyclists killed on the roads increased by eight and car users by four.

Improving the safety of transport workers has been a recent priority for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Through a series of live demonstrations, arranged by IOSH's Food and Drink and Retail and Distribution groups, the organisation highlighted the hazards faced by HGV drivers and other working in the transport sector, with a specific focus on loading-area and yard safety.

Alton Towers, one of the most popular theme parks in the United Kingdom, temporarily closed its doors earlier this week following a major accident, which brought in to question the safety of park-goers.

Four people were hurt after a crash on ‘The Smiler’ rollercoaster, the investigation remains on-going with HSE inspectors still at the park.

A property company based in Lancashire has been found guilty of exposing workers to dangerous conditions when working at heights.

Responding to complaints about the working conditions and the safety conditions for workers, the Health and Safety Executive sent officials to investigate the claims. The inspectors found workers stripping slates from a fragile roof without any measures in place to prevent a fall through it. The report from officials stated that the worker was in a life-threatening position and could have easily perished as a result of the lack of health and safety procedures.

As a result of the report and findings of inspectors KML (Properties) Ltd pleaded guilty to a breach of Work at Height Regulations and was fined £10,400 as well as pleading guilty to other breaches of employment law.

Many employers with vehicle fleets are not taking advantage of new technologies to protect vulnerable road users, a new report by Brake, the road safety charity, and Licence Bureau has found.

Despite the potential to help drivers see pedestrians and cyclists and reduce casualties, only one in five HGV operators surveyed (20%) have rear-facing cameras on all vehicles, one in 12 (8%) have side-facing cameras on all vehicles, and one in eight (12%) have side sensors on all vehicles.

The report found HGV safety technologies that are mandatory under European law, such as underrun protection and wide-angle lenses, are present on almost all vehicles. Therefore, Brake is calling for more comprehensive regulation to ensure the widespread take up of technologies such as automatically moving mirrors, side-view cameras and side sensors, which can be of benefit in preventing needless death and injuries yet are currently only present on a minority of vehicle fleets.