Trucking · Delivery · Logistics

OHS action plan for transport CNESST-compliant

Your driver spends the day alone, at 100 km/h, far from the shop and any supervisor. Prevention has to get on board before departure. General freight, local delivery, courier services: your company with fewer than 20 employees must have its OHS action plan.

Top OHS risks in transport

Driver fatigue

Hours-of-service rules cap driving at 13 hours a day, daily log to match. But fatigue doesn't read logbooks: night schedules, dock waits and delivery pressure add up. A risk to address in the plan, not just an SAAQ compliance matter.

Crushing at loading docks

A truck backing up, a pedestrian in the blind spot, a trailer pulling away while the forklift is still inside. Wheel chocks, driver-dock communication before any movement, and one simple rule: nobody behind a reversing vehicle.

Cargo securement and falling loads

A poorly secured pallet shifts under braking and falls when the doors open. Standard 10 of the National Safety Code sets cargo securement requirements; checking straps and anchor points is part of the job, not wasted time.

Falls from the truck

Jumping down from the cab, climbing onto a slippery trailer to tarp, icy steps in winter. Low-height falls cause injuries that last months — the three-points-of-contact rule belongs in writing in your plan.

Winter and working alone

Black ice, blowing snow, a breakdown in a remote area: a lone driver must be reachable and locatable. A check-in procedure for isolated workers, a winter kit in the cab, and the assumed right to delay a departure when the weather turns.

Your CNESST obligations (transport < 20 employees)

  • Written OHS action plan, including road risks
  • Documented pre-trip inspection (SAAQ requirement, to integrate into the plan)
  • Up-to-date hours-of-service log
  • Written dock-work procedure (wheel chocks, communication, blind spots)
  • Designated OHS liaison officer + training within the year
  • Harassment prevention policy (Bill 42)

Create your Transport OHS action plan

A questionnaire tailored to transport — fatigue, docks, cargo securement, winter, lone work. Auto-generated plan, PDF export ready for a CNESST inspection.

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FAQ — Transport OHS

SAAQ already regulates my drivers — does CNESST apply too?

Yes. SAAQ covers road safety: hours of service, pre-trip inspection, mechanical condition. CNESST covers the health and safety of your workers — behind the wheel, at the docks and in the warehouse. Complying with the Highway Safety Code does not replace the OHS action plan.

My drivers are always on the road — how do I make an OHS plan?

The plan covers the risks of the job, not just your premises: fatigue, cargo securement, customer docks, winter driving, lone work. Document these risks, hand out written instructions and keep a record of training. PlanSST generates this structure for transport.

Do drivers paid per trip count toward the threshold of 20?

Yes. The threshold covers workers regardless of how they are paid. Full-time, part-time, paid by the kilometre or by the trip: if they work under your direction, they count — and your prevention obligations apply to them.

Who is responsible when my driver gets hurt at a customer site?

Your prevention duty follows your worker. The customer must keep their docks safe, but you must train your driver, equip them and provide a procedure to report a dangerous site — including the right to refuse a clearly unsafe dock.