7. Incident Management

COLLISIONS, ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES  

 7.1       Collisions and Emergency Action

 In the event of an accident the driver should:

  1. APPLY the braking system, STOP the engine and isolate the battery by activating the master switch where available.
  2. If anyone has been hurt and accident is of a serious nature INFORM THE APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY SERVICES (Tel 999), giving as much information as possible including substances involved.
  3. FIRST AID may be given on a voluntary basis only. Do not put yourself at risk.
  4. Keep calm, think clearly and protect the site.
  5. Warn traffic approaching from both directions with triangles and cones. Where practicable utilise your torch and high visibility clothing if dark.
  6. notify everyone in the area about the hazard if the accident involves product loss due to tank rupture or overturn, eliminate ignition sources and clear the area. (Follow spillage procedure if loss of product)
  7. Keep the TRANSPORT DOCUMENTS readily available for emergency responders to arrive.
  8. REPORT the accident to your depot manager.
  9. Control Do not admit or deny guilt, do not make statements as to the cause of the accident and do not involve/commit the Company in any way.
  10. Obtain the following information:
  • Other driver – name, and address,
  • Vehicles involved – registration information, make, model and extent of damage.
  • Occupants in vehicles involved, names, addresses, nature and extent of injuries.
  • Witnesses – names and addresses
  • If possible, draw a sketch of the accident with direction of travel and any traffic signs
  • Investigating police officers – names, badge numbers
  • Do not make any comment to any media on site.
  • TAKE PHOTOS at the scene of the accident. This is very important for insurance and liability investigation.

7.2       First Aid (General)

Every ADR tanker has been issued a vehicle first aid kit. This must be used only to provide a level of first aid in line with suitable training. The first aid kit must be regularly checked to ensure that all necessary plasters, bandages, etc are in date. Where injury to a driver has been sustained on a terminal or customer site assistance should be sought from the trained first aider. Should no trained first aid person be available a call should be immediately made to the emergency services (Tel: 999).

7.3       Accident Reporting

ALL VEHICLE RELATED INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS ARE TO BE REPORTED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS THE SCENE IS UNDER CONTROL

7.3.1    As soon as possible after the accident, a company accident report (See Annex I) should be completed and given to the Transport Manager, certainly no later than the following day, where practicable (See Annex I).

All vehicle accidents and operational incidents will be fully investigated.

7.4       Communications Regarding Accidents

7.4.1    Any Third Party communication received by the driver in connection with an accident must be passed to the office and no answer or statement is to be made, other than a bare acknowledgement to the sender.

7.5       Serious or Fatal Injuries to Persons

7.5.1    If a driver is involved in any accident which causes serious or fatal injuries to any person, the Depot must be advised at once.

7.5.2    Do not attempt to drive until advised by a Manager.

7.6       Liability

IF A VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DRIVERS

MUST NOT ADMIT LIABILITY.

7.6.1    They should, however, so far as they are able and providing it is safe to do so, render assistance to any person concerned, on the understanding that the help given is voluntary and is not an admission of liability. No expense whatever is to be incurred by a driver in rendering such assistance.

 

7.7       Reporting to Police

7.7.1    If you are involved in an accident on the road which causes damage or injury to any other person, other vehicle or any animal (horse, sheep, pig, goat or dog) or to any other property on or near the road, you must, by law, STOP.

7.7.2    Give you’re own, and the vehicle owner’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them. If you do not give your name and address to any such person at the time, you must report the accident to the Police as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any case, within 24 hours of the accident.

7.7.3    Should you be required to surrender your Tachograph disc to the Police, you should request a receipt for it. Remember, before your vehicle can be driven again you must fit a new Tachograph.

7.7.4    Where personal injury has occurred you must produce a company Certificate of Insurance at the time to the Police or to anyone who has reasonable grounds for seeing it. If you are unable to do so, you must report to the Police within 24 hours and produce the certificate. It is an offence not to report within this period but, by arrangement with the Police, the certificate may be produced within 7 days, if it is not immediately available.

7.8       Emergency Action Procedures

Accident occurs

7.8.1    See ANNEXES B, I, J & K for Emergency Action Procedures

7.9       Vehicle Damage

7.9.1    If a vehicle is damaged to such an extent that it cannot be moved under its own power, or it is unsafe to move, advise the depot as soon as possible and give particulars of the damage and the location of the vehicle.

7.10     Damage to Cargo Tanks

7.10.1   Any damage, puncture or rupture of the vehicles cargo tank or pipe work, whether laden or un-laden is to be considered serious. Do not move the vehicle with a damaged cargo tank under any circumstances until you are authorised to do so by a Manager.

IN THE EVENT OF A TRANSPORT EMERGENCY CALL

xxxxx

7.11    Media

7.11.1   In the event of an accident, a representative of the media may approach a driver. He/she should politely decline to make any comment. Refer the enquiry to Management and provide a telephone number to enable contact to be made.

7.12    Delivery Problems and Vehicle Breakdowns

7.12.1    All queries that you have relating to the customer and delivery location e.g. telephone numbers, closing times etc. please direct through the depot.

7.12.2    Where vehicles need assisted recovery, this will be carried out by an approved contactor, under instruction from your Transport manager who will organise assistance.

Action

  • At the first sign of a serious mechanical failure you must attempt to safely drive off the road or highway, and park the vehicle in a safe place.
  • If you have no alternative but to stop the vehicle on the hard shoulder of the highway or on a city street, you should display hazard warning lights, put out warning triangles and cones if safe to do so.
  • If safe to do so re-enter vehicle and phone the depot to arrange appropriate maintenance contractor.
  • If vehicle has come to a standstill in a very dangerous position on the highway you should not remain in the vehicle, but alternatively move yourself to a safe distance in view of your vehicle. Request that a 3rd party contact the emergency services and your depot manager. If safe to do so warn oncoming traffic on the position of you vehicle.
  • If you have to remain outside your vehicle ensure that your high visibility clothing is worn.