HSG144: Safe Use of Work Vehicles on Site
HSG144 'Preventing accidents to workers at work: Site transport safety' is HSE guidance (not a standalone regulation) that sets out practical measures for controlling vehicle and plant movement on construction, industrial and agricultural sites. It's referenced constantly in enforcement and audit practice because vehicle and plant movement remains one of the largest causes of workplace fatalities and serious injuries in the UK. HSG144 expands on the general duties in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, PUWER 1998 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, translating them into specific advice on site layout, segregation, reversing and driver competence.
What it requires
- Sites should have a documented traffic management plan separating vehicles, plant and pedestrians wherever reasonably practicable
- Reversing should be minimised through site design (one-way systems, turning areas) and controlled by banksmen or camera/sensor systems where unavoidable
- Routes should have safe crossing points, adequate lighting and appropriate speed limits set from actual sightlines
- Drivers and plant operators should be selected, trained and monitored for competence appropriate to the vehicle and site
- Site layout and traffic plans should be reviewed when conditions change materially, not left static for the life of a project
Who it applies to
HSG144 applies in practice to any site — construction, quarry, farm, distribution yard, or industrial premises — where vehicles or mobile plant operate alongside pedestrians or other vehicles. While it's guidance rather than a statutory instrument, following it is treated by HSE and client auditors as good practice evidence of compliance with the underlying legal duties.
Duties touching plant training & competence
- Plant and vehicle operators need training and assessment appropriate to the specific machine and the site's traffic conditions, not generic instruction
- Banksmen directing reversing or complex manoeuvres need specific signalling and positioning training
- Site managers and supervisors benefit from training in how to design and maintain an effective traffic management plan
- Toolbox talks and inductions should physically walk staff through live routes and crossing points, not just issue paperwork
What inspectors & client auditors look for
- Whether a written traffic management plan exists and actually matches observed site conditions
- Whether pedestrian-vehicle crossing points have specific, effective controls rather than signage alone
- Whether reversing manoeuvres are minimised and controlled by a banksman or technology where unavoidable
- Whether the plan has been reviewed following any layout change, and whether staff can describe current routes when asked
Courses that map to HSG144
FAQs
Is HSG144 a legal requirement?
HSG144 is HSE guidance, not a regulation in itself, but it explains how to meet legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and PUWER 1998 — failing to follow recognised good practice like HSG144 makes it harder to demonstrate compliance if an incident occurs.
What's the single most common failure HSG144 addresses?
Uncontrolled reversing and poor segregation between pedestrians and moving plant, which together account for a large share of serious site transport injuries.
Does a small yard need a formal traffic management plan under HSG144?
Any site with vehicles or plant moving near pedestrians benefits from a documented plan proportionate to its size — even a simple one-page version is far better evidence than nothing if questioned by an inspector or auditor.
How does HSG144 relate to banksman training?
HSG144 recommends banksmen for reversing and complex manoeuvres where segregation alone isn't sufficient, and expects those banksmen to hold specific signalling and positioning competence.
This page provides general guidance for site managers and duty holders and does not constitute legal advice. Always refer to the current legislation, associated Approved Codes of Practice and HSE guidance, or seek professional legal advice for your specific circumstances.
Need training that maps to HSG144?
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