Unions have called on supermarket giant, Coles, to take a leading position in efforts to reduce fatal truck accidents.

In a protest outside the annual general meeting of the supermarket’s parent company, Wesfarmers, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) urged Coles to improve its safety measures.

It wants to ensure Coles contracts do not encourage unsafe behaviour by stipulating tight time frames for drivers.

TWU secretary Tony Sheldon said the trucking industry recorded 15 times the national average deaths compared to any other industry.

“These aren’t acts of god, these aren’t accidents, these are incidents caused by economic pressure,” Mr Sheldon told reporters.

“Coles can lead the way in making sure that that pressure on truck drivers is taken off the entire community.”

Coles has previously said it takes driver safety seriously, and has signed up to a supply chain code of conduct that sets out minimum safety standards.

Inside the meeting, Wesfarmers chairman Bob Every addressed allegations from the consumer watchdog Coles engaged in unconscionable conduct with its suppliers in 2011.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is pursuing the case in the Federal Court.

“There is no doubt Coles has made some mistakes in the past,” Wesfarmers chairman Bob Every told shareholders.

“Since the investigation started Coles has taken many steps to seek to avoid similar problems in the future.

“We believe Coles’ current relationships with its suppliers are now much improved and generally very good.”

AAP krc/dmc/bt