SAFETY MATTERS – RESTAURANT
Provided by: RS Risk Solutions Ltd
Mitigating Violence During Food Deliveries
As a delivery driver who transports takeaway food to restaurant customers, having direct contact with the public is a necessary component of your job. Unfortunately, such contact could increase your risk of becoming a victim of violence. According to Health and Safety Executive data, there are over 400,000 incidents of violence at work each year across England and Wales. Lone delivery employees may be particularly vulnerable to violence or threats during the course of their work, meaning you must stay especially vigilant.
Alongside violence, you could be exposed to several other dangerous circumstances when making deliveries, such as:
- Harassment
- Intimidation
- Threatening behaviour
- Theft
With this in mind, it’s critical to take measures to protect yourself from these and other risks.
Consider the following guidance:
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert for suspicious people loitering around your delivery areas.
- Park as close as possible to the door of delivery destinations, ideally under a streetlight.
- Lock your vehicle and keep your keys with you while making deliveries.
- Never deliver to a house that appears empty.
- Carry a torch to illuminate dark areas and pavements.
- Dress in casual clothes where possible—an official uniform could make you a target.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of money and be discreet when accepting cash from customers.
- Be aware of any vehicles that may be following you. If you notice you’re being followed, stay in your vehicle, lock your doors, keep driving and call the police.
- Turn on your vehicle’s GPS to aid your employer in identifying your location should an incident occur.
- Have your mobile phone on you at all times and dial 999 in the event of an emergency.
While delivering food to customers could leave you exposed to violence and other hazards, taking sensible precautions can help you minimise these risks.
Contact your supervisor for additional health and safety resources.
