Managing your drivers' safety at delivery points
Transport drivers are exposed to various risks and site-specific hazards when they make deliveries to unfamiliar sites or when the site conditions change. The film identifies ways to control the risks to prevent an injury to your workers.
Download a copy of this film (ZIP/MP4, 261 MB)
On Screen Text: Managing your drivers' safety at delivery points
Voice over: Drivers are exposed to unique risks and site-specific hazards when they make deliveries to unfamiliar sites.
Each delivery point is different, and the risks at each site can change daily as work activities environmental conditions change.
Ideally, you should have a site-specific plan for managing risks at each site. Your drivers should be encouraged to assess risks and make decisions about their own safety and that of others at the site.
Transport operators, as well as delivery site staff, have a responsibility to manage driver safety at delivery points. Talk to your clients, plan for how the delivery can be done safely at each site, and have a back-up plan for unexpected events.
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Talk to your clients
Voice over: Transport operators should get information from their clients about the specific risks at each delivery site, general site information and other rules for that site.
Risks may be particular to the type of site – such as a narrow entry, uneven ground, overhead powerlines, onsite obstructions, other road traffic, and forklifts or other plant interacting with pedestrians. Risks can be increased by unclear signage, poor communication or a busy work site.
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Site-specific delivery plans
Voice over: Provide a site-specific plan for each delivery point as part of the delivery documentation given to your drivers.
The plan should include:
- the name of the site's contact person
- the access point and the delivery dock to go to
- any safety and instructional signage the driver should follow
- any induction and sign in and sign out processes for the site
- the availability of site workers to operate forklifts, cranes or other mechanical aids to assist with loading or unloading
- traffic management information for the site and any other site rules, such as personal protective equipment required
- a site map that shows roads and other structures, access points, unloading points and no-go zones.
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Backup plans
Train your drivers to assess onsite safety risks and consider introducing a buddy system to mentor new drivers about site safety.
Have a contingency plan to help them deal with unexpected events. For example, they should be able to anticipate what to do if there are unexpected delays or schedule changes. They should also know how to deal with unexpected workplace changes or weather conditions which may alter access points or create slippery surfaces.
The contingency plan should include the contact details of the site supervisor if the driver has concerns about safety. It should clearly outline the circumstances when the driver has the authority to contact their own manager about safety concerns or make a final call on whether it's safe to make the delivery.
Your drivers should be confident and authorised to make decisions about their safety, knowing that you will support their decisions.
Above all, keep your drivers safe. Plan ahead to manage risks at delivery sites.
Work safe. Home safe.
SCREEN GRAPHIC
Manage safety at delivery points:
- consult with your clients about site-specific risks
- gather information to develop a site-specific safety plan for each delivery point
- brief your drivers and provide site information in their delivery documentation
- train your drivers and authorise them to make clear safety decisions
- have a backup plan for unexpected events.
RUN TIME: 3 min 42 sec