Delivery driver training decreases injuries, keeps packages moving during difficult weather
Area managers find up to 50% drop in injuries
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Each day about 180 Amazon delivery drivers take off from the distribution center in Shawnee carrying up to 240 packages per truck for residents across the metro.
This has been done through harsh winter weather over the past few months creating hazards for drivers. But with extra instruction, leaders say they’ve cut down on driver injuries keeping workers safer and deliveries moving.
Implemented in October, the Shawnee distribution training center is the first of its kind. It includes a virtual reality classroom created to help drivers identify hazards while practicing proper delivery drops. Next, it uses a delivery vehicle to show how to pack the car and locate packages when a driver arrives at their destination. Most importantly, this step in training shows drivers how a three-point exit from the vehicle prevents injuries and future pains.
Lastly, a fall simulator creates real-life scenarios with rain, hail, and tripping hazards so drivers learn best practices for navigating things they may run into.
“The slip, trip, and fall simulator has already proven to reduce slip trip and falls by 30-50% so that’s pretty significant for the safety of our drivers,” Driver Training Manager, Ken Hartle. “This training is an important aspect of driver safety and customer relationships.”
Hartle says he loves hearing drivers return with delivery stories from their day. He says keeping them safe and happy is a part of the positive interactions through the winter.
“It’s interesting to hear drivers say ‘it was so nice to get snacks or drinks offered on somebody’s porch for us.’ It makes them feel appreciated because it is a hard job,” said Hartle.
More than 1,000 drivers from all four area Amazon distribution center locations have participated in the training at the Shawnee location since October. Kansas City is one of the first Amazon centers in the U.S. to implement the training and is the only city with the slip, trip, and fall simulator.
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