Delivery drivers’ induction
Being specific
Delivery drivers spend more time away from your site than on it, meaning that much of the content of your normal induction programme won’t apply. However, you still need to ensure that they know the basics such as the fire procedure and the rules to follow for transport safety.
On the other hand, because drivers spend most of their time on the road or at customer premises unsupervised, you need to provide relevant information such as your expectations for safe driving and the correct procedures when visiting clients, etc.
What’s covered?
Our document - H&S induction - delivery drivers - has been developed to give a safe start for these new staff (see The next step ). It’s a checklist of the health and safety issues that are to be discussed before they begin their role.
The document begins with an area to write the personal details of the worker, followed by a comprehensive list of questions for the employee to answer. The third section comprises test questions which enable you to check the new starter has taken all the information on board. The fourth and final parts of the form are for the manager to use when checking that company procedures have been followed.
Tip. This is a self-directed induction meaning that the employee should use the form to confirm that relevant information has been received. However, if you are not confident that the employee can read and write in English, you will need to guide them through it.
Completing our document
Using the form is a simple process. Most of the questions can be completed with a simple tick in the “Yes” or “No” box. If comments need to be added there is a box marked “F/I” (further information) which can be ticked to indicate that there are additional notes at the end of the form.
The checklist covers a variety of topics such as securing of loads, manual handling, restrictions on driving or working hours, the reporting of health conditions, alcohol and drugs rules, and more.
We’ve chosen a selection of topics for the test questions on page three. For example, it covers key locations, such as the site fire assembly point. The driver is also tested on core requirements including rules about reversing in your yard, personal protective equipment to be worn and details of the vehicles which they are authorised to drive.
Tip 1. Before asking the driver to complete the form, collate the policies and procedures it refers to so that they are readily available when needed.
Tip 2. If mistakes are made in the test section, the manager should address any deficiencies by providing additional training before the employee resits the test.
Tip 3 . Once the driver has completed all the details satisfactorily, the manager should run through the formalities listed on the final page, including a check of their driving licence and competency or medical certificates, as applicable.
For an H&S induction - delivery drivers document, visit http://tipsandadvice-healthandsafety.co.uk/download (HS 18.19.05).
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