Navigating Worksite Safety Amid the Holiday Hustle

Holiday season workers in warehouses and delivery roles face heightened safety risks, making proactive training and hazard awareness crucial for injury prevention.

• By Kirstin Hudson
• Nov 26, 2024

Transportation and deliveries are at the heart of the holiday season, bringing joy to our families by dropping gifts at the front door. Everything from playhouses and gadgets to baking supplies and bicycles make their way through warehouses and delivery vehicles nationwide. Behind the magic of the holiday hustle are those individuals working to fulfill orders, move goods and complete deliveries in time for consumers and their families to enjoy.

Warehouse workers and delivery drivers are greatly impacted during the holiday rush as they see an increased workload. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), postal workers, messengers and local delivery industries suffer higher nonfatal injury and illness rates. Additionally, workers in transportation and material moving roles experienced 1,620 fatalities in 2022 and represented the occupational group with the most fatalities according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But, of course, injuries and fatalities on the job are preventable. 

Warehouse Job Safety

With many warehouses bringing extra hands on board during the holidays, this is a great time to revisit safety training. One way employers can approach this is by sharing the employee safety plan and “training it forward,” meaning employers may ask their experienced employees to teach the safety skills gained from the training program to others within their team. This encourages peer-to-peer education and reinforcement of safety standards across all shifts. It’s also important to hold each team member accountable for worksite safety standards, especially when everyone is busy.

A safe working environment is inclusive of both the employer’s responsibility and the employee’s ability to recognize hazards. A few safety considerations to look out for on the job:

• Is the work environment as clean and organized today as it was a few months ago, or a year ago, or when you began your job?
• Are proper work practices being followed by you and those around you?
• Does your personal protective equipment (PPE) meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines, and are you using it correctly?
• Are materials stacked properly?
• Are you moving ergonomically?

Common hazards in a warehouse environment to watch for include the following:

• Do all machine guards cover “pinch” points? Properly installed machine guards prevent employees from being caught between moving objects.
• Are material handling techniques—both physical and machine-assisted—properly implemented?
• Are proper lockout/tagout practices being followed? If a machine is de-energized and you are not sure why, communicate with your supervisor.

Revisiting safe work habits is necessary and slowing down to speed up is always a best practice. OSHA’s Warehousing web page has more information on common warehouse safety issues.

Delivery Job Safety

Online shopping shows no signs of slowing down, meaning more manpower is required to deliver the goods. Increased staffing and workload can lead to an increased risk of more driver injuries. And with fewer daylight hours during winter, driving after dark also increases the likelihood of being in a wreck.

Delivery drivers can be mindful of the below tips to help keep safe on the job:

• Be seen. This includes using your vehicle’s indicators and wearing clothing that can be seen easily.
• Conversely, make sure you can see. Sometimes cleaning your windows and mirrors falls by the wayside but it can make a big difference in visibility.
• Follow the rules of the road. U-Turns, facing the wrong direction while stopped and stopping abruptly without signaling, for example are behaviors that can cause confusion for other drivers and ultimately put you at risk.
• Use extra caution when collecting packages from a warehouse or packaging center. In addition to proper lifting and carrying techniques make sure your environment is also safe. Being caught between a vehicle and materials can be dangerous and can be avoided.

Additional safety tips include the following:

• Wear your seat belt.
• Set your parking brake before exiting the vehicle.
• Never stand directly behind or in front of a vehicle or powered industrial vehicle (i.e. forklifts).
• Understand the hazards in the locations you are picking up from and ask for help if you are unsure of what to do at a particular site.
• Slow down and look around your environment, not at your phone.
• Don’t wear headphones as ambient sound offers clues as to where vehicles are.

Deliveries can have individual and unrecognized hazards that you may not have considered, such as dogs, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, high traffic, snow and ice, and even opportunistic crime. Knowing these hazards can reduce the chance of injury and keep you making money. Employees may consider having safety items on hand including a headlamp, boots with traction, first aid kit, roadside assistance membership and a roadside emergency kit.

Return Home Safe for the Holidays

As the workforce puts in the hours to meet higher demand during the holiday season, the top priority should be helping employees return home safely to enjoy this special season with their loved ones. Together, employers, business owners and employees can work without additional risks by self-monitoring behaviors, identifying potential hazards and educating others about worksite safety.

OSHA’s On-site Consultation Programs are available nationwide and offer free and confidential occupational safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses. On-site consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Locate a nearby program using OSHA’s consultation directory.