Improving the treatment of drivers at delivery sites

Commitments for all parties

• Ensure respectful and non-discriminatory communication between all parties involved in pick-up, delivery and transport operations.
• Plan and execute operations safely, securely and efficiently.
• Advise the relevant parties in due time about any changes that might affect an operation, including early arrivals or delays. 
• Provide contact points to whom parties can report early arrivals or delays, as well as emergencies and incidents.
• Ensure mutual trust and cooperation between all parties involved in transport operations.
• Ensure drivers have easy and safe access to sanitary equipment and facilities to foster driver well-being during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Commitments for shippers

• Provide drivers with access to suitable male/female sanitary facilities and other on-site facilities, such as break rooms and cafeterias, that meet the relevant standards and are proportionate to the size of the delivery facilities, and ensure that such facilities are installed and operated correctly.
• Provide properly trained personnel on site for loading and unloading activities. 
• Provide drivers with access to safe and secure parking (overnight where possible) that is suitable for heavy goods vehicles. 
• Guarantee the safety of drivers at the shippers’ premises by ensuring that the appropriate areas are well-lit, pedestrian zones and waiting zones are clearly marked, and there is sufficient space for trucks to manoeuvre.
• Ensure that provisions are made for the aforementioned infrastructure (accessible sanitary facilities, pedestrian zones, and sufficient, spacious, well-lit, safe and secure parking areas) when constructing new sites. 
• Ensure the overall efficiency and speed of pick-up, delivery and transport operations by: 
  • Allocating slots to avoid queuing at gates, as well as communicating and reallocating slots in case of delays/incidents. 
  • Taking into account driving/working time constraints when planning ramp management/slot allocation.
  • Providing accurate paperwork in due time, minimising loading/unloading times, and facilitating the integration of such times in the overall working time of drivers, taking into account the relevant regulatory constraints.
  • Ensuring the availability of sufficient qualified personnel to process deliveries and assist drivers, including outside of regular loading/unloading hours. 
  • Guaranteeing safe and secure operations on site by delivering clear instructions including the relevant facility characteristics and updates on the shipment status, and closely supervising all operations as far as possible.
• Provide flexible delivery windows in good agreement between the parties, taking into account external factors that might influence operations.
• Acknowledge the driving and rest time rules, working time and tachograph regulations to minimise internal movement during any loading or unloading operation. 

Commitments for transport operators

• Provide the necessary and appropriate trucks that are fit for purpose, to facilitate loading and unloading tasks, in line with contractual obligations. 
• Provide the necessary and relevant training and ensure fair and legally compliant contractual arrangements for drivers.
• Provide clear and concise information about delivery sites to the driver, if this information is available in advance.
• Make drivers aware of the specificities of the transport operation/delivery including the potential impact on their driving and working time, and of the need to inform ramp workers sufficiently in advance of their remaining driving/working time or necessary breaks.

Commitments for drivers

• Use shippers’ facilities respectfully, including bathrooms, break rooms and cafeterias.
• Respect safety and other instructions.
• Communicate incidents, early or late arrivals, product issues, and loading/unloading operations in real time.
• Avoid stop-and-go vehicle movements when approaching the ramp in order to limit driving time.
• Inform ramp workers sufficiently in advance of your remaining driving/working time or necessary breaks.