Because a port is not a warehouse yard. L148 says so plainly: "Many different people drive in docks
– this includes drivers from a number of different employers and members of the public. Not all of
these drivers will be familiar with the dock environment."
Its list of typical transport hazards includes "unsegregated vehicle/pedestrian access, eg ro-ro
bridges and vessel ramps", "reversing vehicles throughout the dock including adjacent to open quay
edges" and "use of vehicles with limited visibility, including straddle carriers and reach stackers".
A general workplace transport checklist does not ask about any of these.
For the ship-to-shore traffic system, L148's Code (paragraph 60) asks for more than a plan on paper:
it "should be set up and adequately supervised and monitored." A routine check is how you show that
monitoring happens.
What does the check sheet cover?
Six short sections, each a few lines with a tick for OK or a cross, and a space for what you saw.
Pedestrian routes and crossings, yard and quay. L148: "Walkways should if possible be so laid
out that they do not cross cargo handling areas." Where they must, routes should be "clearly
marked and signs clearly visible", with "Appropriate crossing points" where people and vehicles
meet (paragraphs 58 and 71).
Reversing and blind spots. The guidance is four words: "Avoid reversing where possible."
(paragraph 85). The sheet asks whether people on foot are clear of reach stackers, straddle
carriers and terminal tractors, and whether cameras, mirrors and alarms are working.
Visiting drivers. "Establish and enforce site rules and provide these to visiting drivers"
(paragraph 84), and "Haulage drivers should remain in a safe area while their vehicles are being
loaded and unloaded" (paragraph 72). Our visiting HGV drivers guide
covers both in detail.
Ro-ro ramp and linkspan. Paragraph 59 allows two ways to segregate a vehicle ramp: "a suitable
protected walkway" or "ensuring that pedestrians and vehicles do not use the ramp at the same
time". The sheet asks which one is in use on this vessel, and whether ship and shore agreed it.
See the ro-ro ramp and linkspan guide.
Lighting after dark. "Many docks operate on a 24-hour basis so the need for suitable lighting
in the workplace is particularly important" (paragraph 232). L148 lists "well-lit stairs,
pedestrian and vehicle access routes" among what should be provided.
This shift. Whether each control was actually seen working today, not carried over from the
last walk, plus anything new and the number of near misses recorded since.
There is space for actions at the bottom: one per cross, with an owner and a date.
How do you do it well?
Check during real operations. A quay between vessels tells you little. Watch a discharge, a
load, a shift change or a busy hour at the gate.
Rotate the shift, the sailing and the tide. Ramps behave differently at different tide
states, and many problems only show on the night sailing. Do a night check at least every other
time.
Record what you saw, not just that you went. "Walkway blocked by lashing gear, 22:40 sailing,
two people stepped onto the vehicle lane" is a finding. "All OK" is not much use to anyone.
Close the loop. Read last time's actions before you start, and check they were done.
HSE's docks code, Safety in docks (L148), is the main HSE guidance for ports and docks, and this
sheet follows it, with the paragraph number beside each line. HSE also publishes a general workplace
transport checklist, which does not cover ramps, linkspans or port machines.
How often should a port carry out a traffic safety check?
L148 does not set a frequency. It asks for the ship-to-shore traffic system to be "adequately
supervised and monitored". A short check every week or two, rotated across shifts, sailings and
tides, is a practical routine for many ports, with extra checks after any change to the layout,
vessels or machines.
What does L148 say about pedestrians on ro-ro ramps?
Paragraph 59 of the Code: "Ramps used by vehicles should not also be used for pedestrian access
unless there is suitable segregation of vehicles and pedestrians, whether by providing a suitable
protected walkway or by ensuring that pedestrians and vehicles do not use the ramp at the same
time."
Where should visiting HGV drivers wait during loading?
In a safe area. L148: "Haulage drivers should remain in a safe area while their vehicles are being
loaded and unloaded. The location of the safe area will depend on individual circumstances although
in some instances this may be within the actual vehicle cab."
Can we change the check sheet?
Yes. The Word version is there to be edited: add your own berths, machines or site rules, and
remove what does not apply.
References
Health and Safety Executive (2014). Safety in docks: Approved Code of Practice and guidance (L148), 1st edition, paragraphs 55–60, 62–63, 65, 67, 69–72, 83–85 and 232–235. https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l148.htm