An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a workplace transport risk assessment is
A workplace transport risk assessment examines how vehicles — lift trucks, lorries, vans and mobile plant — move and operate on a site, and the risk of collision with people or other vehicles, then records measures such as segregation, traffic routes, signage and safe loading.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their workplace transport assessment must cover.
Purpose
- Identify where vehicles and people could come into conflict.
- Record segregation, traffic routes, crossings and speed controls.
- Address reversing, loading, parking and visibility.
- Reduce the risk of being struck by or falling from a vehicle.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer.
- With knowledge of the site layout, vehicles and movements.
- Reviewed within the organisation’s own process.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the assessor is competent.
When it is used
- For sites where vehicles and pedestrians share space.
- When the layout, traffic, vehicles or activities change.
- After a collision, near miss or change in deliveries.
- On a review cycle defined by the employer.
Typical fields
- Site or area, vehicles and movements involved.
- Where people and vehicles interact, including blind spots.
- Segregation, routes, crossings, signage and speed controls.
- Reversing, loading, parking and visibility measures.
- Actions, owners and review date.
- Example fields only — adapt to the site and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Relying on high-visibility clothing instead of segregation.
- Uncontrolled reversing without banksmen or aids.
- Pedestrian routes that cross busy vehicle areas.
- Never reviewing it after layout or delivery changes.
Document workflow
A workplace transport risk assessment sits within the wider risk assessment and informs traffic management, the safe system of work, site rules and driver and pedestrian instruction. It links to forklift inspection and induction; a change or incident triggers a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a workplace transport risk assessment.
Retention (high level)
Workplace transport assessments are generally kept for as long as they are relevant and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Workplace transport assessments are commonly completed and stored as PDFs alongside traffic plans and the risk assessment. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the assessment official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Separate vehicles and people wherever reasonably practicable.
- Control reversing, loading and site traffic routes.
- Make routes, crossings and signage clear and maintained.
- Brief drivers and pedestrians and review after changes.
Worker notes
- Use the pedestrian routes and crossings provided.
- Stay out of vehicle areas and blind spots.
- Report near misses and any unsafe traffic arrangements.
Country considerations
Duties around workplace transport and traffic management vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a document is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing and controlling workplace transport risk and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your assessment must contain, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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