In a job that depends on a driver’s ability to bend and lift, load and unload merchandise, sprains and strains can quickly take its toll. As Safety and Compliance Manager for Sysco Food Services of Toronto, the largest marketer and distributor of foodservice products in North America, Wayne Hebert pays close attention to the potential for back injuries among drivers. "We continually reinforce the importance of back safety," says Hebert. "We actively encourage our drivers to avoid lifting activities that could cause a back injury. If they have any concerns about their safety at a customer location, we encourage them to call us so we can investigate the delivery call and talk to the customers on ways they can make the site safer for our drivers."
To prevent strains and sprains, staff should be trained on proper lifting and bending techniques. Let employees know that, if they are unsure of the weight of a box, they should assume that it is heavier than it looks, and move slowly and carefully when lifting it. Remind them that a heavy load can cause injuries even when the proper technique is used. For this reason, encourage employees to always ask for help if a load seems too heavy.
Slips, trips and falls can be a common danger for drivers if care is not taken.
When moving items from storage rooms, employees should get help lifting heavy boxes, and a ladder should be used to access items on higher shelves. Drivers should never stand on chairs or boxes to reach items on a shelf. Handrails should be used when moving on stairs and the driver should never carry more items than he or she can safely see over. When entering or exiting the truck, three point contact should be used at all times. Rain or shine, appropriate non-slip footwear should always be worn. Walking surfaces should be kept free or ice and snow. Non-skid waxes and surfaces help in slippery areas like entrances and exits. In receiving and delivery docks, clutter, delivery items or boxes should be cleared.
Once on the road, a driver’s job involves negotiating traffic, locating streets and stopping and starting throughout the day.
Poor weather, heavy traffic and the pressure to maintain pick-up and delivery schedules can lead to serious accidents among delivery drivers. To prepare its drivers for the road, Sysco Food Services asks them to complete a comprehensive defensive driving program that combines
classroom learning with on-the-road training involving an instructor and feedback from fellow drivers in the van. "We’ve had very positive feedback to the program," notes Hebert. "The peer training aspect is something different for us but the results have been very encouraging." In fact, the program has been so successful that it has been recently expanded so that all Sysco
employees with a company car, including sales representatives and supervisors, are required to take part.
In 2001, there were 419,937 vehicle accidents in Ontario. Over 65% of these accidents occurred during core business hours.
At Sysco Food Services, drivers participate in refresher logbook training, which includes a component that examines the role fatigue can play on safety and productivity. "Fatigue is certainly an important issue for us to consider," notes Hebert. "By law, drivers are required to take a certain number of hours off between shifts. We educate them on what that means - that they must rest their bodies and re-energize themselves." Drivers are encouraged to stretch and take regular breaks, and the organization is currently looking into implementing a Morning Stretch program for its drivers.
Delivery drivers are often required to collect payment upon delivery of goods. It is a situation that can put them at high risk for workplace violence.
According to the Crime Prevention Service at Rutgers University, delivery drivers are at high risk for workplace violence because they interact with the public, exchange money, deliver services or goods, work late at night or early in the morning and often alone. J.W. Callahan, President of the Association of Pizza Delivery Drivers in the U.S., agrees. "Delivery people go out alone, to potentially unknown places, to meet unknown people. They typically carry cash. All this makes delivery people extremely vulnerable to robberies," he says. "The question that comes to mind is how well delivery drivers are trained to avoid or prevent becoming a victim of violent acts such as assault, robbery, and homicide. What do the companies they work for do to educate them, train them, and what tools and safety measures are in place to prevent these violent acts?"
The Crime Prevention Service recommends allowing drivers to wear normal clothes, not a uniform, to make them look like ordinary people, not a delivery person who may be carrying cash. Employers are also encouraged to give their drivers cellular phones or two-way radios so they can keep in contact with their workplace.
Encourage employees to take care of themselves both on and off the road.
Keeping fit and ensuring adequate rest can keep the mind and body alert and the immune system strong. Relaxation or stress reduction practices can help drivers deal with stressful situations like heavy traffic more appropriately. On-site or off-site exercise programs and nutritional education sessions can teach employees how to maintain their strength and energy.
At work, encourage staff to dress for outdoor conditions before they start their deliveries for the day. Coats, gloves and boots are suitable attire for cold or wet weather. Sun protection - including sunscreen and hat - can make working in the heat more bearable.
The role of the delivery driver often extends far beyond picking up and dropping off packages. Through health and safety education and awareness, you can ensure that your drivers stay alert and healthy - and arrive home safe.
Excerpted from The Safety Mosaic Vol.6, # 3, Fall 2003
That radiation levels in microwave ovens should be monitored regularly by trained service people. Refer to OSSA Safety Check sheet on Microwave Ovens for more information.
