Delivery Company Safety Manual

Delivery Company Workplace Hazards

Delivery operations can expose employees to hazards both on the road and away from the vehicle.

Common hazards include:

• Motor vehicle crashes
• Distracted driving
• Backing accidents
• Frequent vehicle entry and exit
• Loading and unloading
• Manual lifting
• Repetitive material handling
• Loading docks
• Liftgates
• Hand trucks and dollies
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Traffic and roadside exposure
• Customer properties
• Dogs and other animals
• Heat and cold stress
• Severe weather
• Working alone
• Workplace violence
• Fatigue
• Vehicle breakdowns
• Warehouse and distribution activities

Employees should receive safety training appropriate to their vehicles, equipment, routes, delivery activities, and potential exposures.

Driver Safety

Only appropriately licensed, trained, and authorized employees should operate company vehicles.

Drivers should:

• Wear seat belts.
• Obey traffic laws.
• Maintain safe following distances.
• Adjust speed for traffic, weather, and road conditions.
• Scan for pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and other vehicles.
• Use additional caution in residential and congested areas.
• Avoid aggressive driving.
• Maintain control of the vehicle at all times.
• Report unsafe vehicle conditions.
• Follow company accident-reporting procedures.

Delivery schedules should never be interpreted as authorization to drive unsafely.

Defensive Driving

Delivery drivers should anticipate hazards rather than relying on other motorists to act predictably.

Defensive-driving practices include:

• Maintaining adequate following distance
• Monitoring traffic ahead and around the vehicle
• Identifying escape routes
• Checking mirrors frequently
• Anticipating sudden stops
• Watching for vehicles entering traffic
• Allowing additional stopping distance for heavier vehicles
• Adjusting to limited visibility
• Reducing speed in poor conditions

Drivers should be particularly cautious when operating larger vehicles with limited rearward or side visibility.

Distracted Driving

Drivers should avoid activities that divert visual, manual, or mental attention from driving.

Potential distractions include:

• Mobile phones
• Text messages
• Navigation systems
• Delivery applications
• Dispatch communications
• Food and beverages
• Paperwork
• Package searches
• Customer communications

Delivery information, routing instructions, and electronic devices should be reviewed or adjusted while safely parked whenever practical.

Frequent Stops & Route Driving

Delivery work often involves substantially more stopping, starting, parking, and merging than ordinary vehicle operation.

Drivers should:

• Plan stops when practical.
• Signal before slowing or turning.
• Avoid abrupt maneuvers.
• Maintain awareness of following traffic.
• Select safe stopping locations.
• Avoid blocking traffic unnecessarily.
• Consider pedestrian and bicycle activity.
• Use caution when reentering traffic.

Drivers should not create a serious traffic hazard merely to make a delivery more convenient.

Parking for Deliveries

Vehicles should be parked in locations that minimize hazards to employees, motorists, pedestrians, and customers.

When selecting a stopping location, drivers should consider:

• Traffic flow
• Visibility
• Vehicle size
• Road width
• Intersections
• Bicycle lanes
• Pedestrian routes
• Driveways
• Slopes
• Overhead clearance
• Emergency access

Parking brakes should be applied as appropriate before employees exit the vehicle.

Backing Safety

Backing should be minimized whenever practical because delivery vehicles frequently operate in driveways, parking lots, alleys, loading areas, and other locations where pedestrians or objects may be difficult to see.

Before backing, drivers should:

• Check behind and around the vehicle.
• Use mirrors and cameras.
• Identify pedestrians and obstacles.
• Back slowly.
• Avoid unnecessary backing.
• Use a spotter when available and appropriate.
• Stop immediately when conditions become uncertain.

When practical, drivers should position vehicles so they can leave by moving forward.

Vehicle Inspection

Delivery vehicles should be inspected at appropriate intervals.

Inspections may include:

• Tires and wheels
• Brakes
• Lights
• Mirrors
• Cameras
• Windshield and wipers
• Horn
• Steering
• Seat belts
• Doors
• Cargo areas
• Liftgates
• Steps and grab handles
• Safety equipment
• Fluid leaks
• General vehicle condition

Defects affecting safe operation should be reported and corrected.

Vehicle Entry & Exit

Delivery employees may enter and exit vehicles dozens or hundreds of times during a workday.

Employees should:

• Use available steps and handholds.
• Maintain stable contact with the vehicle.
• Face the vehicle when appropriate.
• Avoid jumping from vehicles.
• Watch for traffic before opening doors.
• Check the ground for uneven surfaces, ice, mud, curbs, or other hazards.
• Keep steps and walking surfaces free of debris.

Employees should not carry loads in a manner that prevents safe entry or exit.

Loading & Unloading

Loading and unloading should be planned to prevent employees from being struck, crushed, caught between equipment, or injured while handling materials.

Employees should:

• Stabilize the vehicle before loading or unloading.
• Evaluate the surrounding area.
• Maintain clear access routes.
• Keep unauthorized persons away from loading activities.
• Use appropriate material-handling equipment.
• Avoid standing where loads could shift or fall.
• Secure cargo before travel.
• Use caution around loading docks and vehicle edges.

Package & Material Handling

Delivery employees should evaluate packages and materials before lifting or moving them.

Consider:

• Weight
• Size
• Shape
• Stability
• Grip
• Destination
• Travel path
• Stairs
• Required equipment

Employees should obtain assistance or use material-handling equipment when a load cannot be safely handled by one person.

Manual Lifting

Employees should use appropriate lifting practices based on the load and work environment.

When practical:

• Position close to the load.
• Maintain stable footing.
• Use a secure grip.
• Avoid unnecessary twisting.
• Keep the load reasonably close to the body.
• Turn with the feet rather than twisting the torso.
• Use assistance for difficult loads.

Employees should not attempt lifts that exceed their ability to control the load safely.

Repetitive Handling & Ergonomics

Delivery work may involve repetitive lifting, carrying, reaching, bending, pushing, pulling, and vehicle entry and exit.

Ergonomic risks should be considered when evaluating:

• Package weights
• Delivery frequency
• Vehicle configuration
• Shelf heights
• Reaching distances
• Hand-truck use
• Route duration
• Loading practices

Work practices and equipment should be designed to reduce unnecessary physical strain where practical.

Hand Trucks, Dollies & Carts

Employees should select material-handling equipment appropriate for the load and terrain.

Before use, employees should inspect equipment for:

• Damaged wheels
• Loose components
• Defective handles
• Structural damage
• Other unsafe conditions

Loads should be stable and should not obstruct the employee’s view unnecessarily.

Extra caution should be used on ramps, slopes, curbs, and uneven surfaces.

Liftgate Safety

Employees using powered liftgates should receive appropriate instruction.

Safe practices include:

• Inspecting the liftgate before use
• Keeping employees clear of pinch points
• Maintaining stable footing
• Positioning loads securely
• Staying within rated capacity
• Keeping unauthorized persons away
• Using controls from a safe position
• Reporting damaged equipment

Employees should never place themselves beneath an unsupported liftgate or load.

Cargo Securement

Packages, equipment, carts, and other cargo should be arranged and secured to prevent hazardous movement during transportation.

Employees should consider:

• Load distribution
• Shifting
• Falling objects
• Vehicle stability
• Access during deliveries
• Cargo barriers
• Straps or other securement devices

Employees should use caution when opening cargo doors because materials may have shifted during transportation.

Loading Docks

Employees working at loading docks may be exposed to falls, moving vehicles, forklifts, trailers, dock plates, and material-handling equipment.

Safe practices should address:

• Dock-edge awareness
• Trailer movement
• Vehicle restraint
• Dock plates and levelers
• Pedestrian routes
• Lighting
• Housekeeping
• Communication with drivers
• Forklift traffic

Employees should remain clear of areas where they could be caught between vehicles, trailers, docks, or equipment.

Warehouse & Distribution Areas

Delivery companies that operate warehouses, terminals, or distribution areas should maintain safe procedures for:

• Material storage
• Aisles
• Housekeeping
• Powered industrial trucks
• Loading docks
• Conveyors
• Pallet handling
• Emergency exits
• Fire protection
• Pedestrian traffic
• Equipment inspection

Vehicle and pedestrian movement should be coordinated to reduce struck-by hazards.

Forklift & Powered Industrial Truck Safety

Where forklifts or other powered industrial trucks are used, only trained and authorized employees should operate them.

Pedestrians should:

• Remain alert to equipment movement.
• Use designated walkways where provided.
• Avoid walking beneath elevated loads.
• Maintain appropriate clearance.
• Make eye contact with operators when practical before crossing travel paths.

Slips, Trips & Falls

Delivery employees frequently walk across surfaces that the company does not control.

Potential hazards include:

• Wet floors
• Ice and snow
• Uneven pavement
• Loose gravel
• Stairs
• Curbs
• Potholes
• Landscaping
• Cords and hoses
• Poor lighting
• Cluttered walkways

Employees should evaluate walking surfaces and choose a safer route when conditions present unnecessary risk.

Stairs & Elevated Delivery Areas

Employees should use additional caution when carrying packages on stairs or elevated walkways.

Employees should:

• Maintain adequate visibility.
• Use handrails when practical.
• Avoid carrying loads that prevent safe movement.
• Take multiple trips when necessary.
• Use material-handling equipment only where appropriate for the surface.
• Report significant hazards when required by company procedures.

Customer Locations

Employees may make deliveries to residences, businesses, construction sites, industrial facilities, schools, healthcare facilities, warehouses, and other locations.

Employees should follow applicable site safety requirements and remain alert to:

• Vehicle traffic
• Construction activities
• Machinery
• Restricted areas
• Animals
• Poor lighting
• Hazardous walking surfaces
• Aggressive individuals
• Other site-specific hazards

Employees should not enter areas presenting uncontrolled serious hazards merely to complete a delivery.

Residential Deliveries

Residential deliveries may involve driveways, porches, apartment complexes, stairs, gates, pets, children, and limited parking.

Employees should:

• Park safely.
• Watch for children and pedestrians.
• Use caution around driveways.
• Maintain awareness of animals.
• Avoid entering private areas unnecessarily.
• Use adequate lighting during nighttime deliveries.
• Maintain awareness of surroundings.

Dogs & Other Animals

Delivery employees may encounter dogs and other animals at customer locations.

Employees should not assume an animal is safe merely because it appears restrained or friendly.

Employees should:

• Observe the property before approaching.
• Avoid entering areas with uncontrolled aggressive animals.
• Maintain distance when uncertain.
• Avoid provoking or startling animals.
• Follow company procedures for unsafe delivery locations.
• Report bites or other animal-related injuries promptly.

Employees should not place themselves at unreasonable risk to complete a delivery.

Working Around the Public

Delivery employees frequently work around pedestrians, customers, motorists, children, and other members of the public.

Employees should:

• Maintain awareness during vehicle movement.
• Keep equipment under control.
• Avoid leaving carts or packages where they create hazards.
• Maintain professional communication.
• Protect the public from loading and unloading activities.

Working Alone

Many delivery employees perform routes independently.

Working-alone procedures may address:

• Dispatch communication
• Check-in procedures
• Route monitoring
• Emergency contacts
• Vehicle breakdowns
• Injuries
• Threatening situations
• Severe weather
• Failed communications

Employees should know how to request assistance when they cannot safely continue a delivery.

Workplace Violence & Personal Security

Delivery employees may carry merchandise, enter unfamiliar neighborhoods, work after dark, or interact with members of the public while alone.

Employees should:

• Remain aware of their surroundings.
• Avoid escalating confrontations.
• Maintain access to the vehicle when practical.
• Follow procedures for threatening customers or locations.
• Report threats and violent incidents.
• Contact law enforcement when necessary.
• Leave an unsafe area when conditions warrant.

Employees should not risk personal safety to protect packages, merchandise, or company property.

Robbery & Theft

Employees should receive appropriate instructions for responding to robbery, theft, or attempted theft.

Personal safety should take priority over recovering merchandise or preventing property loss.

Employees should promptly report incidents according to company procedures.

Heat Stress

Delivery employees may spend significant time outdoors or inside cargo areas and vehicles exposed to high temperatures.

Heat-illness prevention measures may include:

• Drinking adequate water
• Rest breaks
• Cooling opportunities
• Appropriate clothing
• Acclimatization
• Recognition of heat-illness symptoms
• Emergency response

Employees should be trained to recognize signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

Cold Stress

Employees making deliveries in cold, wet, snowy, or windy conditions should use appropriate protective clothing and work practices.

Cold-weather hazards may include:

• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Reduced dexterity
• Ice
• Snow
• Reduced visibility
• Vehicle hazards

Wet clothing should be replaced when practical.

Severe Weather

Delivery operations may be affected by:

• Thunderstorms
• High winds
• Flooding
• Snow
• Ice
• Extreme heat
• Extreme cold
• Wildfire conditions
• Other severe weather

Drivers should adjust speed and operations to conditions.

Deliveries should be delayed, relocated, or suspended when conditions create unacceptable hazards.

Fatigue Management

Long routes, early starts, overtime, peak-season workloads, traffic delays, and irregular schedules can contribute to fatigue.

Fatigue may affect:

• Driving performance
• Reaction time
• Decision-making
• Situational awareness
• Material handling
• Balance and coordination

Employees should report when fatigue may prevent them from safely performing assigned work.

Delivery schedules should be managed so they do not encourage unsafe driving or work practices.

Roadside Emergencies

Vehicle breakdowns and roadside incidents may expose employees to moving traffic.

When a vehicle becomes disabled, employees should:

• Move to a safer location when possible.
• Activate hazard warning devices.
• Remain alert to traffic.
• Use high-visibility apparel when appropriate.
• Avoid standing in active travel lanes.
• Contact dispatch or roadside assistance.
• Follow company emergency procedures.

Employees should not perform roadside repairs beyond their training and authorization.

Vehicle Accidents

Following a vehicle accident, employees should:

• Stop safely.
• Assess immediate hazards.
• Request emergency assistance when needed.
• Avoid unnecessary exposure to traffic.
• Follow company reporting procedures.
• Provide required information.
• Avoid disturbing the scene unnecessarily when serious injuries are involved.
• Report injuries promptly.

Vehicle accidents should be reviewed to identify contributing factors and appropriate corrective actions.

Fire Prevention

Delivery vehicles and facilities should be maintained to reduce fire hazards.

Employees should recognize hazards involving:

• Fuel
• Electrical systems
• Battery charging
• Flammable materials
• Damaged cargo
• Smoking
• Ignition sources

Employees should know how to report fires and evacuate hazardous areas.

Hazard Communication

Where employees may handle or transport hazardous chemicals as part of their work, applicable Hazard Communication procedures should address:

• Chemical labels
• Safety Data Sheets
• Employee training
• Protective measures
• Spills
• Damaged containers
• Emergency procedures

Employees should not handle leaking or unidentified hazardous materials without appropriate information, training, and protection.

Spill Response

Packages or cargo may leak or spill during transportation or handling.

Employees should:

• Avoid direct contact with unknown substances.
• Isolate the area when necessary.
• Review available hazard information.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Report significant spills.
• Obtain specialized assistance when required.
• Follow company cleanup and disposal procedures.

Employees should not attempt to clean up a spill beyond their training and available protective equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment

Required PPE should be based on the employee’s tasks and exposures.

Depending on operations, PPE may include:

• High-visibility apparel
• Work gloves
• Safety footwear
• Eye protection
• Chemical-resistant gloves
• Hearing protection
• Weather-protective clothing
• Other task-specific equipment

Employees should inspect PPE and replace damaged or defective equipment as necessary.

Emergency Procedures

Delivery companies should establish procedures for foreseeable emergencies such as:

• Vehicle accidents
• Employee injuries
• Vehicle breakdowns
• Fires
• Chemical spills
• Severe weather
• Workplace violence
• Robbery
• Medical emergencies
• Lost communications

Employees should understand how to contact supervisors, dispatch, emergency services, and other appropriate resources.

Incident Reporting & Investigation

Employees should promptly report:

• Injuries
• Vehicle accidents
• Backing incidents
• Property damage
• Near misses
• Dog bites
• Violent incidents
• Hazardous-material releases
• Equipment failures
• Other significant safety events

Investigations should evaluate contributing factors such as:

• Driving practices
• Route conditions
• Equipment
• Vehicle condition
• Training
• Workload
• Fatigue
• Communication
• Customer-site conditions
• Procedures

Corrective actions should address underlying causes where practical.

Delivery Company Safety Training

Employee training should reflect assigned responsibilities and workplace hazards.

Training may include:

• Driver safety
• Defensive driving
• Distracted driving prevention
• Backing safety
• Vehicle inspection
• Loading and unloading
• Cargo securement
• Manual lifting
• Ergonomics
• Hand-truck and dolly safety
• Liftgate safety
• Loading-dock safety
• Customer-site safety
• Animal hazards
• Working alone
• Workplace violence prevention
• Heat and cold stress
• Severe weather
• Roadside safety
• Hazard Communication
• PPE
• Spill response
• Emergency procedures
• Incident reporting

Employees should receive additional training when new vehicles, equipment, cargo, procedures, or hazards are introduced.

Customized Delivery Company Safety Manuals

Delivery companies vary widely in vehicle types, package sizes, cargo, facilities, service areas, routes, delivery frequency, equipment, and customer locations. A local parcel-delivery company may face different hazards than a regional delivery fleet, appliance-delivery operation, business-to-business distributor, or last-mile delivery service.

A customized Delivery Company Safety Manual can be developed around your company’s vehicles, delivery routes, loading and unloading activities, material-handling equipment, cargo, customer locations, facilities, and employee exposures.