The free guide, called “Delivering Safely”, has been produced by the Building Products Delivery Working Group, a cross-industry committee of sector experts, including representatives from Wincanton, Ibstock, Tarmac, Forticrete, Marley Eternit , Cemex and Hanson, as well as representation from industry bodies.

Supported by the Health & Safety Executive, the illustrated guide, which is intended to be given to all delivery drivers working in the construction sector and displayed at all sites and builders‘ merchants, aims to standardise the myriad of documents currently found across the industry.

“No one is saying that health and safety hasn‘t always been treated with paramount importance,” said Ben Young, Wincanton‘s Business Unit Director for construction and chairman of the BPDWG.

“However we must acknowledge that safety information about the delivery of construction goods varies from site to site and, with this new guide, we are setting out in clear and concise terms how to act in a safe and responsible manner.”

He added: “We hope very much to see these guidelines adopted across the construction sector to show that by working in partnership we can promote safe working practices for all employees, no matter who they work for.”

The pocket guide builds on a similar publication the BPDWG issued two years ago, entitled “Eliminating and Mitigating Falls from Height” which the HSE supported and published on its website.

An initial print run of 80,000 copies will see “Delivering Safely” distributed widely to drivers, major construction manufacturers and building sites via housebuilders, builders‘ merchants and trade associations.