Fall prevention systems are one of the most critical pieces of safety equipment on any tanker loading site. They provide essential protection for operatives working at height, helping to prevent serious injuries or even fatalities when accessing the tops of tankers. But while these systems are designed to keep workers safe, there’s a growing issue that puts both equipment and lives at risk — tanker drive-offs.
The Hidden Risk of Drive-Offs
At IFC Inflow, we’ve seen a worrying number of incidents where tankers attempt to drive away while the fall prevention system — typically a safety cage — is still fully engaged and physically attached to the vehicle. The results are often costly and catastrophic. In many cases, the cage is not only severely damaged but completely destroyed, rendering the entire fall prevention system unusable.
This isn’t just a financial issue. When a fall prevention system goes down, it can bring site operations to a standstill. Workers can’t safely access the tops of tankers, leading to operational downtime, lost working hours, and potential delays across your supply chain. More importantly, the absence of a functioning fall prevention system leaves personnel exposed to serious danger.
The Role of Drive-Off Protection
Drive-off protection is a simple but highly effective solution. It integrates a series of interlocking mechanisms that require the driver to follow a specific shutdown procedure before a vehicle can be moved. The system physically prevents a tanker from departing until all safety equipment — including the fall prevention cage — has been correctly disengaged and stowed.
This acts as a vital reminder to drivers, especially those under time pressure or unfamiliar with the site. By building in deliberate steps that must be followed, drive-off protection eliminates the risk of accidental movement and ensures your safety infrastructure is protected.
Think Twice Before Skipping Drive-Off Protection
Fall prevention systems are not optional extras — they are a core safety asset. Losing one due to a preventable incident like a drive-off not only creates immediate operational problems, but also exposes your site to legal, reputational, and compliance risks.
If you’ve invested in a fixed fall prevention system, ask yourself: have you done enough to protect it? Drive-off protection can be the difference between safe, seamless operations and a costly, disruptive incident.
Talk to Our Team
Drive-off protection is available as part of our fixed fall prevention systems, and our technical team can advise on the best solution for your site layout and operational workflow. If you’re upgrading your safety equipment — or if you’ve experienced a near miss — now is the time to act.
Don’t let one oversight bring your site to a halt. Talk to us about drive-off protection today.