What do you need to consider when a delivery driver is coming to your construction site? Do they require a White Card and Induction? Unfortunately, it’s not a one size fits all situation. It really depends on a number of factors, so let us explain why.
It's important to understand what delivery will be taking place and whether the delivery driver/s will be performing work on-site. It’s important to consider the risks associated with the delivery and their interaction with the construction site.
White Card
A white card (or general construction induction card) is required for workers who intend to carry out construction work.
People who need a white card include:
Site managers
Supervisors
Surveyors
Labourers
Tradespeople
People who access operational construction zones (unaccompanied or not directly supervised by an inducted person)
Workers whose employment causes them to routinely enter operational construction zones.
Some delivery drivers and suppliers may be exempt depending on what is being delivered, how it will be delivered, the interaction / impact that delivery has on-site, and considering all the hazards and risks the delivery presents.
We have put together some examples to highlight the importance of assessing white card requirements for delivery drivers, on a case by case basis.
Where a white card is likely required
A delivery driver in a truck, reverses into the site and parks in a designated area. The driver will then unload large planks of timber with or without the assistance of the site labourers and carry them over to a marked area within the active construction site. This delivery worker would likely require a white card as they are performing work, interacting with the site and there are known hazards and risks associated with the work.
A delivery driver intends to arrive on-site to deliver pallets of bricks and they are removed off the truck with a forklift. The work occurs on-site, it is a high risk construction work activity (movement of any powered mobile plant) which requires a SWMS and there is clearly work being performed and interaction with the site.
Where a white card may not be required
A delivery driver in a van supplying a few tins of paint, drops off the materials at the entrance to the site to the site supervisor and doesn’t enter the site would potentially not require a white card. Because they are dropping off small items, not entering the site where they are exposed to the construction site hazards, and does not technically perform construction related work.
A delivery driver is escorted by a fully inducted and trained spotter into the site where they can park up safely in a designated area. The delivery driver does not exit the truck and then is escorted off site after the unloading of materials has occurred. The delivery is infrequent (not regular) and is of short duration. This could be an instance where a white may not be needed however it should still be risk assessed case by case.
Important Note: Work on, in or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians is considered high risk construction work and therefore a SWMS is required prior to work commencing. It's important to be aware of this when it comes to how deliveries will be made and whether it can impact traffic.
Induction
Workplace specific induction training aims to provide information about work health and safety issues and safe work practices specific to the construction workplace. It should be conducted by the Employer who has management or control at the workplace or by the Principal Contractor for the construction project. A key part of an induction is also to ensure that each person who is to carry out construction work relating to the project is, before commencing work, made aware of the contents of the Site Specific Safety Plan (for projects that meet the threshold of requiring one) for the workplace and the site-specific rules.
Depending on the type of delivery and work being performed, a site specific induction may not be required. For example delivery drivers on-site for a short amount of time for low risk delivery may not require one. However, they still need to receive any site specific information such as hazards that they may encounter, site safety rules, emergency contact, where to unload, etc. Sharing the Site Specific Safety Plan and/or being accompanied at all times by a Supervisor/site contact (who is fully inducted) during the delivery could be an option in these instances.
Our Recommendation
Our recommendation when it comes to white cards and induction requirements for delivery drivers is to plan ahead, look at what deliveries will be occurring in the future, and assess them case by case. Discuss with the delivery / supplier company about how the delivery will be taking place and consider the hazards and risks associated. Remember it's not just about the hazards that may be introduced by the delivery, but also what site hazards may be exposed to the delivery driver when they are on-site that you need to consider.
What hazards could exist? Here are just a few to consider:
Overhead services and height of trucks moving around site and unloading practices
Movement of powered mobile plant used during unloading
Traffic management entering site, in and around site, and exiting site (interaction with workers, members of the public etc)
Terrain, ground conditions, underground services
Manual handling during unloading and moving materials around site
If you're still not sure about an upcoming delivery and what you need to do, that's ok, give our Health and Safety Advisory team a call on 1800 954 702 to discuss further.