Risks and Preventive Measures in Delivery Operations

By Francesco José Addabbo (OSHAcademy Guest Author)

Delivery options present many risks that are often overlooked.  While these may not be the primary risks common to the industry as a whole, they deserve serious attention. I am personally very interested in this topic because I manage these situations first-hand with my employees. 

Ergonomic Risks

Lifting and pushing are the two most frequent physical actions, often accompanied by repetitive movements. These frequently cause musculoskeletal disorders.  In my sector, fliers are manually inserted into mailboxes approximately 600 times a day, as measured using a tally counter. 

Environmental Risks

Environmental hazards include rain, extreme cold and heat, as well as walking on slippery surfaces and dealing with poor visibility - especially on night routes. 

The presence of aggressive animals, particularly dogs, is a significant hazard.  Additionally, risks such as bee stings should not be underestimated as they often hide inside mailboxes  and other tight spaces.  Other major risks include traffic accidents and aggressive drivers on the road.

Inefficient Route Planning

There is often a lack of proper route planning and organization. Inefficient route structures lead to unproductive work, which is further compounded by time pressures which forces operators to rush.  Associated operational risks include distracted driving, unsafe reversing, and unsecured vehicle loads.

Preventive Measures

There are many preventive measures to help deal with the risks that carriers experience on a daily basis.

Efficient Handling and Loading

Organization: Organize packages by weight. 

Pre-inspection: Inspect items before lifting for sharp edges or hazards and use a pallet jack for heavy loads.

Stability: Keep the load's center of gravity as low as possible to prevent tipping. 

Distribution: Distribute the load evenly inside the vehicle and secure all packages before starting the route to prevent shifting.

Van Drivers

• Wear a high-visibility reflective vest. 
• Check mirrors carefullly before reversing.  
• Never use a phone while driving. 

Animal Hazard Response 

Dogs: Remain calm, maintain safe distance, and retreat slowly to a safe area. 

Bees: Since bees are territorial, inspect mailbox slots for their presence before inserting materials. 

Active Breaks and Well-Being

Incorporate active breaks into the routine and stay well-hydrated.  Take scheduled stops during extreme weather conditions, which includes heat and cold. 

Environmental Assessment

Conduct daily assessments using a dedicated checklist to verify personal protective equipment (PPE), weather conditions, and the delivery vehicle condition.

In conclusion, taking proactive steps, such as using pre-shift checklists, proper load management, active breaks, and environmental risk assessments before starting your shift are all important parts of a productive safety management system.  Furthermore, these measures help foster a strong safety culture and ensures workers return home safe and sound. 

References

National Safety Council. (1988). Accident Prevention Manual for Industrial Operations: Engineering and Technology (9th ed.). National Safety Council.

OSHA. (n.d.). Trucking Industry - Loading and Unloading. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/trucking-industry/loading-unloading

Personal field observation using a tally counter (Francesco José Addabbo)