Slipping, tripping and falling accidents to delivery drivers.

Abstract

North American studies have shown that approximately 25% of injuries to drivers of commercial vehicles are caused by slipping, tripping and falling accidents and a large proportion of these are associated with entry to and exit from the vehicle. No similar data have been obtained for delivery drivers within the U.K. and a study has therefore been carried out to investigate the slipping, tripping and falling accidents sustained during the distribution of products using commercial road vehicles. Accident information from two companies which operate large commercial vehicle fleets has been analysed and data on slipping, tripping and falling accidents to drivers have been examined using a sequential accident model in order to identify contributory factors. Entry and exit systems to and from the vehicles have been evaluated and compared with the minimum requirements which have been proposed by various authorities. A questionnaire survey of drivers has also been carried out to determine the comments of the user...