Grocery store worker - delivery driver

Grocery store delivery drivers deliver stock to various stores including shopping centres, stores, newsagents, grocery stores and service stations. Stock is loaded into the van by the warehouse staff, however drivers are required to unload the stock when they reach the store for delivery.

Tasks and tools used

Driving is subject to weather conditions however staff are usually working within air conditioned environments. Drivers are also subject to traffic congestion.

Drivers may use the following:

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
trolley
delivery van
work kit
stationery
clipboard.

Personal protective equipment

High visibility shirt / jacket
shorts / long pants
safety boots
hat (if required).

Critical physical job demands and other task requirements

Critical job demand descriptor	% of time the task is performed	Task
Constant	>66%	N/A
Frequent	34%–66%	Forward reaching and static neck postures Hand function and foot movement while driving
Occasional	5%–33%	Stting, standing and walking while unloading deliveries Squatting and kneeling while unloading deliveries Dynamic neck postures while driving
Rare	<5%	Lifting of 9kg and 15kg Overhead reaching and pulling Stair climbing and other climbing

Suitable duties

goals must be clear, realistic and achievable
must have 'buy-in' from the worker
worker helps to set the goals, and must be answerable if goals are not met (this allows barriers to return to work to be identified at an early stage and obstacles overcome)
workers need to understand they have an obligation to participate in rehabilitation and return to work as per Section 232 of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (the Act).

Return to work suggestions

Worker can begin with light duties and include more tasks as their capacity for work changes. We'll work with all parties, including the treating medical provider, employer and worker to ensure everyone is aware of where the worker is with their rehabilitation and stay at, or return to work.

Note: some tasks are dependent on worker's injury and capacity, and some tasks may require the assistance of a co-worker.

Offsite

Return to work can begin at home for those having difficulty with transport, medication or the injury prevents them from returning to work.

If the worker needs to take a break from work, their rehabilitation can still begin at home. Tasks can include:

video on safety issues can be viewed (lying in bed if injury type requires)
computer based programs, CDs or DVD on work-related subjects
phone-based work
emails
training
other worksite inductions
checking or auditing paperwork, e.g. helping the WHSO audit lost time injuries (LTIs) for a six month period.

Host employment

In the event an employer is unable to provide suitable duties, a host placement may be required. If this is the case, the worker may be placed at a different employer in a graduated return to work plan until they're able to 'upgrade' back to his/her pre-injury role with their pre-injury employer.

WorkCover's Recover at work program places injured workers in short term host employment with employers who have an established track record of successful return to work outcomes with their own workers.