Delivery-Removal Service Safe Work Method Statement

Delivery and removal work involves repetitive lifting, carrying, and positioning of items ranging from small packages to bulk materials and heavy equipment components. Manual handling injuries develop from single heavy lifts exceeding worker capacity, repetitive lifting of moderate weights throughout the workday accumulating musculoskeletal strain, awkward postures whilst handling loads in confined vehicle trays or reaching to position items, and sustained static postures whilst holding loads during transport from vehicle to delivery location. Specific risk factors include lifting from ground level or low positions in vehicle trays requiring deep bending, lifting loads above shoulder height onto shelves or storage racks, twisting whilst lifting to position items in confined spaces, carrying loads up stairs or across uneven ground at construction sites, and pushing or pulling loaded trolleys over rough surfaces or up ramps. The variety of items handled means load weights and dimensions vary considerably throughout the day, making it difficult to establish consistent lifting techniques. Time pressure to complete delivery schedules may encourage rushing manual handling tasks without adequate planning or requesting assistance. Working alone without immediate help available means drivers cannot easily obtain assistance for heavy or awkward items, potentially attempting lifts that should require two persons. Poor delivery vehicle design including high loading lips, confined tray spaces, or inadequate internal securing points compounds manual handling difficulties. Cumulative exposure over months and years causes gradual tissue damage that may not become symptomatic until serious injury develops.

Consequence: Acute back injuries including muscle strains, ligament damage, and disc injuries causing immediate severe pain and incapacity. Chronic musculoskeletal disorders developing gradually including persistent back pain, shoulder injuries, and knee problems requiring extended time off work, medical treatment, and potentially permanent work restrictions or disability.

Delivery vehicle operation in diverse traffic environments creates collision risks with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and fixed objects. Contributing factors include driver fatigue from long hours and multiple deliveries, distraction whilst consulting navigation systems or delivery documentation, time pressure encouraging excessive speed or risky manoeuvres, unfamiliarity with specific routes and road conditions when delivering to new locations, and adverse weather reducing visibility and road traction. Construction site environments present particular challenges with vehicle and plant movements, temporary traffic arrangements, narrow access routes with minimal clearances, and workers focused on tasks rather than monitoring for approaching vehicles. Residential deliveries often require reversing in confined driveways or narrow streets with limited visibility, creating risks of striking parked vehicles, property structures, or pedestrians including children playing in residential areas. Loading and unloading operations beside roadways create exposure to passing traffic, with drivers opening rear doors or tailgates extending into traffic lanes potentially being struck by vehicles that fail to give adequate clearance. Vehicle mechanical defects including brake failures, tyre blow-outs, or steering problems can cause loss of control particularly when vehicles are loaded heavily or travelling at highway speeds. Mobile phone use whilst driving for work-related calls or messages severely impairs driver attention despite hands-free equipment usage.

Consequence: Serious or fatal injuries to delivery drivers, other road users, or pedestrians from vehicle collisions. Extensive vehicle damage requiring repairs and replacement vehicles, third-party property damage creating legal liability, traffic offences and potential loss of driving licence affecting employment, and prosecution for serious traffic incidents particularly those resulting in injuries or fatalities.

Delivery operations frequently require reversing to access loading docks, customer premises, or position vehicles for unloading at construction sites. Panel vans and trucks have significant blind spots behind and to the sides, with loads in vehicle trays further obscuring rear visibility. Reversing cameras and sensors provide assistance but cannot detect all obstacles particularly low objects, small children, or items at ground level that may fall below sensor detection ranges. Construction sites present dynamic environments with workers, equipment, and materials constantly moving through areas, meaning reversing paths clear moments earlier may have obstacles when actual reversing occurs. Residential driveways often include parked vehicles, children's toys, garden features, and pets that may not be visible when initially assessing reversing paths. Other drivers or site workers may assume delivery drivers have seen them and walk or drive behind reversing vehicles without ensuring driver awareness. Reversing into loading docks or bays requires precision positioning in confined spaces with minimal clearances to structures or other vehicles. Noise from reversing alarms may not be sufficient to alert pedestrians wearing hearing protection in construction environments, whilst residential neighbours may have become habituated to reversing alarms and not respond appropriately. Drivers working under time pressure may rush reversing operations without adequate observation or fail to get out and check reversing paths before commencing reversing movements.

Consequence: Pedestrians or workers struck and crushed by reversing vehicles, causing serious injuries or fatalities. Children struck in residential areas creating devastating consequences and serious legal liability. Collision damage to property, structures, or other vehicles requiring insurance claims and investigation. Incidents causing project delays whilst investigations are completed and alternative delivery arrangements are made.

Loading and unloading operations occur in diverse environments with varying surface conditions, creating slip, trip and fall risks. Delivery drivers work on wet or icy surfaces during poor weather, on uneven ground at construction sites with rubble or service trench covers, on sloped driveways at residential properties, and on oily or contaminated surfaces at industrial premises. Carrying loads reduces ability to see ground-level hazards and impairs balance recovery if slips occur. Vehicle tray floors become slippery when wet or contaminated with oil, whilst tailgates and loading lips create trip hazards when entering or exiting vehicle trays. Construction sites often have materials, tools, electrical leads, or equipment positioned in delivery access routes creating trip hazards. Inadequate lighting for early morning or evening deliveries reduces visibility of surface hazards. Safety footwear may have worn slip-resistant soles reducing traction on smooth or wet surfaces. Drivers hurrying to complete deliveries may not take time to assess surface conditions or select safe walking paths. Steps or level changes at loading dock areas may not be clearly marked or visible when drivers are focused on loads being carried. Falls whilst carrying loads can result in loads falling onto workers causing impact or crushing injuries in addition to fall injuries.

Consequence: Fractures from falls including wrist, arm, or ankle fractures from attempting to break falls whilst carrying loads. Head injuries from striking ground or structures during falls. Soft tissue injuries including sprains and bruises. Loads dropped during falls may cause additional injuries from impact or crushing, damage expensive or fragile items, or create hazards for other workers in the vicinity.

Delivery operations to residential properties and some rural construction sites expose drivers to dog attacks and aggressive animals. Dogs may be behind gates or fences when drivers first arrive but emerge when gates are opened for vehicle access, or may be roaming freely on properties including acreages and rural sites. Dogs protecting territory may attack delivery drivers perceived as intruders even if dogs are normally calm with familiar persons. Some dog breeds are particularly aggressive or have strong protective instincts, whilst poorly trained or unsocialised dogs may react unpredictably to strangers approaching their territory. Drivers carrying loads have limited ability to defend themselves or retreat quickly if dogs attack. Rural delivery locations may have cattle, horses, or other large animals in yards or paddocks that can cause injuries if startled or approached. Delivery drivers unfamiliar with animal behaviour may inadvertently provoke aggressive responses through body language or actions perceived as threatening by animals. Some customers may not warn delivery drivers about animals present on property, whilst others may assure drivers animals are friendly despite actual risk. High fences or vegetation obscuring property views prevent drivers identifying animal presence before entering properties.

Consequence: Dog bite injuries requiring medical treatment including wound cleaning, antibiotics, and potentially rabies assessment depending on dog vaccination status. Severe dog attacks can cause substantial soft tissue damage, fractures from being knocked down, and psychological trauma affecting workers' ability to continue delivery work. Workers compensation claims, time off work for treatment and recovery, and potential permanent scarring or disability from serious attacks.

Inadequate load securing during transport can result in loads shifting, toppling, or falling from vehicles causing injuries to drivers during unloading, damage to loads, or creation of hazards for other road users. Contributing factors include inadequate restraints for load weight and configuration, using damaged or worn straps and tie-downs with reduced capacity, improper securing techniques failing to prevent load movement, failure to account for acceleration forces during cornering and braking, and dynamic movement during transport causing restraints to loosen. Palletised loads may appear stable when initially secured but can settle during transport resulting in changed centre of gravity and potential toppling when restraints are released. Sheet materials including plasterboard, roofing iron, or plywood stored vertically can fall when vehicle doors are opened if adequate bracing is not provided. Small items stored on shelves or in overhead compartments can fall when vehicles corner or brake suddenly. Drivers opening vehicle rear doors or side access may be struck by loads that have shifted forward during transport. Construction workers or customers standing near vehicles during unloading may be struck by items that fall from vehicle trays or shift unexpectedly during unloading operations.

Consequence: Injuries from being struck by falling loads including fractures, lacerations, and crushing injuries depending on weight and size of items. Damage to delivered items requiring replacement, customer complaints, and contractual disputes. Loads falling from vehicles onto roadways creating hazards for other road users and potential for serious accidents if following vehicles strike fallen items.