Delivery drivers are usually in a hurry and have to make good time every day, but this comes with its own set of risks. Around 2,000 people are injured in work-related accidents involving vehicles according to the HSE.
Without a driver risk assessment, your employees may be working in situations that increase the likelihood of delays, accidents and potential injuries. It is not a one-size-fits-all process. Factors such as past driving history, health conditions and training can predict future actions in many different workplace scenarios. That is why it is important to plan ahead of time to effectively mitigate risk and protect your employees.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know as a manager by following this quick but complete checklist for your next delivery driver risk assessment from Shoes For Crews.
1. Identify hazards before drivers get behind the wheel
Hazard management is the act of identifying risks in the delivery process, and is one of the most important tasks to perform. A number of different problems can arise for delivery drivers on the road. From the condition of their vehicles to their planned routes, delivery drivers need to take extra precautions before they get into their vehicles and put their keys in the ignition.
If at all possible, encourage your drivers to avoid the risk and find an alternative way to get the job done. The most common hazards faced by delivery drivers are:
- Heavy traffic on busy roads
- Other large vehicles travelling slowly on rural roads, causing delays
- Poor lighting when trying to find locations and houses for deliveries
- Severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow or ice
- Extremely tight deadlines for delivery
- Obstacles on the road
2. Evaluate the surroundings
Once the risks have been identified, the next step is to ensure compliance and evaluate them. It is important to weigh a risk’s potential impact in order to assess which ones require immediate attention. In circumstances where the delivery driver is driving a company-owned vehicle, you as the employer are liable even if the driver is at fault.
As a manager, it is helpful to ask questions such as:
- How often is this risk likely to occur? and
- If it does materialise, what will be its impact?
- What is the condition of the surfaces and is there a risk of slipping?
3. Implement control measures for delivery drivers
Delivery drivers should remember that hazards can be avoided if the correct procedures are followed. Here are some of other measures that you as a manager can add to your risk assessment for delivery drivers:
- Vehicle maintenance schedules (carry out regular checks to prevent breakdowns and accidents)
- Real-time monitoring (plan the most efficient routes by analysing traffic patterns and driver behaviour using sat-navs)
- Feedback mechanisms (report hazards or challenges to provide valuable insight)
- Weather advisory systems (provide real-time weather updates, especially in areas prone to sudden changes)
4. Review and monitoring
A delivery driver’s day is very dynamic with ever-changing conditions. No two days are the same, but a key factor in this process is the implementation of regular reviews and monitoring in order to ensure that everything is up to date. Injuries can be very costly for your company, but with the right assessment and controls in place, you can find practical solutions to help your employees stay safe at work
