Safety 101: Reducing slip, trip and fall risks

There are many things that your teams could encounter when preparing and delivering packages that could cause slips, trips, or falls, such as:

When they are stepping in and out of the delivery vehicles onto inclement weather surfaces (wet, icy, snowy pavement) and loose gravel
Walking up and down stairs to deliver a package where a step may be damaged causing employees to trip or lose balance (uneven sidewalks or items being left on the steps by owners)
Damaged packages on conveyor belts or rollers causing contents to spill onto a dock while loading vehicles
Delivering packages to stores or homes that have uneven walkways or inability to see where they are going when carrying the packages

We have compiled a quick list of safety tips you can reinforce for your team to keep in mind when loading and unloading the vehicles.

When your drivers are entering and exiting their vehicle, remind them to use three points of contact at all times.
Once they arrive at the point of delivery, recommend your drivers scan the environment around the truck and on the path to the delivery. Identify if there are items that may be in their way (blocking their path) or faults in the surrounding area (uneven surfaces, cones, other vehicles, etc.) where they will be walking once they have the package from the truck to deliver.
Be on the look out for:
- Cracks, bulges, breaks, or tears
- Exposed cords and cables
- Wet or waxed areas
- Garbage and other debris
- Faulty railings and barriers
- Poor lighting

Remind your team to avoid climbing, standing or walking on the conveyor belts, slides, chutes or rollers in the terminals.

You can help limit slips, trips, and falls with the following actions:

Mandate that your team wears appropriate and properly fitted footwear for their job environment and activities, this may include footwear with specific sole tread patterns or slip-resistant soles. Make sure your team knows to check the condition of the soles periodically and replace them if they have worn down.
Inform your team of the importance of always using three points of contact when entering or exiting their trucks, docks, or loading areas. This means having two feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot in contact with the truck, dock, or loading area at all times. Your team should never jump off or scale the dock area.
Encourage your team to always be aware of their surroundings. Rain, snow, and ice are leading contributors to slips, trips, and falls. Trees and brush that hang over walking areas are common causes as well, especially for those carrying a load blocking their view.
Advise your team to slow down and take their time. We know staying on schedule is vital to your business’ success; however, by being less hasty in their actions, your team can help avoid possible slip, trip, and fall hazards, in turn potentially reducing the number of accidents and claims.

Safety 101: Reducing slip, trip, and fall risks