Workplaces like warehouses and logistics centres are a thriving hub of activity day in, day out, with workers, materials handling equipment (MHE), and vehicles all working in unison. However, with a high and consistent flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic , speeding in close proximity to people poses a high risk of serious injury.
Whether you’re running a manufacturing facility, a plant, or a food and beverage site, keeping vehicle speed to a minimum is crucial to ensure the safety of vehicles, drivers, and pedestrians.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- The importance of reducing vehicle speed in pedestrian areas
- Identify common risks associated with workplaces
- Determining vehicle speed restrictions
- Solutions for reducing vehicle speed
- Other ways to keep pedestrians safe
By the end, you’ll be able to take action in choosing the right solutions to keep your site speed at a safe level.
Let’s dive in.
Why Is It Important to Reduce Vehicle Speed in Workplaces?
The bottom line is this: The faster a vehicle goes, the higher the severity of the impact if a crash occurs. The risk is no different in workplaces. Pedestrians being seriously injured or killed by vehicles is an all-too-common occurrence on New Zealand worksites.
According to WorkSafe data, the Transport, Postal and Warehouse industries produced the highest number of fatalities between 2023-2024, with vehicle incidents—including collisions, rollovers or pedestrians hit by moving vehicles—being the leading cause of death.
With such devastating consequences, it’s critical to implement safety measures and reduce speeds for all worksites where vehicles and pedestrians coexist.
But it’s not just company machinery. Even if workplace staff understand the need to operate vehicles with caution, visiting vehicles and people may not share the same level of awareness about speed and the consequences of not driving cautiously in these environments.
Where Does Vehicle Speed Pose the Most Risk in Workplaces?
There are numerous areas where vehicles operate that require speed control to ensure vehicle and pedestrian safety. These include:
- Driveways
- Entrances
- Carparks
- Loading zones
- Pedestrian walkways
- Blind spots, such as corners
What Speed Should Vehicles Go On-Site?
The speed vehicles should adhere to is determined by a company individually and depends on the type of site and the specific areas within it.
Warehouse and factory speeds generally range from 10 km/h to 20 km/h and are influenced by factors such as route layout and usage. For example, lower speeds are required where pedestrians are likely to be present, or forklifts and road vehicles share a traffic route.
If you are unsure about the appropriate speed limits for your workplace, consider consulting a traffic management planner.
What Are Some Practical Solutions to Reduce Vehicle Speed on My Site?
When it comes to reducing vehicle speed and enhancing workplace safety, there are several systems we recommend introducing, depending on your site-specific requirements. These include:
Signage
While it may seem like an obvious solution, using safety signage is about making the most of the basics. From signs that display speed limits and alert drivers to hazards, signage is an effective way to create speed awareness. Determining where they should go must be based on the specific site needs and where the risks of incidents are most likely to occur.
Speed Calmers
Our wide range of Speed Calmers force vehicles to reduce speed and are suitable for a variety of applications. Some of our most popular Speed Calmers include:
Speed Humps
For slowing cars and other light vehicles to a safe speed in car parks and private roadways. Our Speed Hump solutions are available in 50mm and 75mm heights, depending on what speed you’re trying to achieve on your site.
Speed Cushions
Heavy-Duty Speed Cushions are designed for use where heavy vehicles, as well as cars and utes, are regularly present. The larger profile is designed to handle heavier vehicles better than smaller speed humps. Speed Cushions are available at 50mm and 75mm heights, depending on your vehicle size and site requirements.
Related: Speed Hump vs Speed Cushion — What’s the Difference, and Which is Right for Me?
Rumble Strips
Rubber Rumble Strips have multiple applications and are commonly used on worksites to reduce traffic speeds. Distances can be varied between strips to obtain the required rumble effect.
We also offer a range of alternative solutions that create driver awareness, including Lane Separators and Automated Barrier Arms, which help control the speed and flow of traffic on site.
How to Protect Pedestrians From Vehicles
We know that reducing vehicle speeds on worksites is key to keeping pedestrians safe. But what about pedestrian-specific solutions? Consider installing workplace pedestrian safety products in conjunction with vehicle speed reduction systems, such as pedestrian barriers, handrails, and pause gates, to help keep pedestrians separated from vehicle traffic.
Synlait Milk is a prime example of how implementing pedestrian safety solutions helped improve their site. By installing an aluminium handrail, surface-mounted steel bollards, and rubber wheel stops, the team were able to improve pedestrian safety in high-risk areas and ensure that expensive assets—such as forklift chargers and electrical cabinets—were protected from potential forklift impacts, all while saving money.
Your Workplace: Slow it Down to Speed it Up
The number of preventable incidents that occur on New Zealand worksites due to excessive vehicle speed is staggering. At Vanguard, we’ve spent the past 30 years helping our clients improve safety in their workplace, using practical solutions and trusted advice.
With a wide range of vehicle speed reduction and pedestrian safety products for every worksite, we are here to solve your safety challenges, keeping your site moving and your people safe.
If you’re still stuck on which solution is best for you and your workplace, we’re here to guide you through the process. Get in touch with one of our team today, and we’ll get you on the road to a safer workplace.
