The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has unveiled a safety awareness campaign called 'Drive Danger Out' to promote their ongoing inspection programme.

Over the period of 10 years, from 2012 to 2022, incidents in the workplace involving workplace vehicles have claimed the lives of 34 workers, leaving 162 others with serious injuries.

From working on a construction site to on a farm, the incidents resulting death or injury include vehicles overturning, falling from or being thrown from a vehicle, workers being struck by a vehicle and injuries resulting from items falling from transport.

Robert Kidd, HSENI’s Chief Executive said: "Workplace transport safety continues to be our priority for this year and employers should expect it to be an important element of our inspections.

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"Our 'Drive Danger Out' campaign is aimed to help employers prevent deaths and serious injuries involving vehicles in their workplace and to reduce the tragic figures we have seen over the last ten years."

Launching the campaign, a mobile billboard has visited every council area in Northern Ireland. The billboard promoted awareness of the risks associated with workplace transport whilst encouraging workers to exercise caution wherever they work.

With the aim to reduce the number of people killed or injured as a result of workplace transport, the awareness campaign will be advertised on the television, the radio, through social media and outdoors across Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the awareness campaign, Mike Brennan, the Permanent Secretary of the Department for the Economy stated: "Industry is vital to the success of our economy. I very much welcome the 'Drive Danger Out' awareness campaign and the ongoing inspection programme. Together they offer an important opportunity for our industries to play their part in making the workplace safer. This will assist our Northern Ireland based companies compete on a world stage with an enviable health and safety record to help attract inward investment.

"By ensuring employers provide a safe working environment, and employees have the correct training, working together we can prevent injuries and save lives."

Safety precautions can reduce the risk and help avoid unnecessary workplace accidents involving transport.