You might spend eight hours driving, but it's the two minutes at each door that cause most delivery driver injuries. Slips and falls — on icy walkways, wet steps, uneven driveways — happen fast and recover slowly. Here's how to cut the risk.
The Hazards You're Actually Facing
Black ice on paved driveways and front steps is the biggest winter offender. It forms overnight when temperatures drop below freezing and is invisible on dark or shaded surfaces. Shaded north-facing entries are higher risk than south-facing ones. Steps under trees or overhangs stay icy longer.
Wet or mossy surfaces in warmer weather are nearly as treacherous. A stone walkway that looks dry can be slick enough to drop you. Newly poured concrete, uneven pavers, and cracked sidewalks create trip hazards in all seasons.
Porches and steps in older homes are often uneven and may not have handrails. Don't assume a residential porch is solid until you step on it.
Before You Step Out: Scan First
Before you open the van door with a package in your arms, look at the path to the door. You should be able to make it to the door and back without encountering a surface you're unsure about. If the driveway looks icy, approach on grass or soil if available. If the steps look frozen, take them one at a time with your hand free.
Don't carry a large box that blocks your view of your own feet. If the package requires two hands, take smaller steps and go slower.
Footwear Is Your First Line of Defense
Work boots or shoes with rubber soles and aggressive tread patterns make a measurable difference in slip resistance. Flat-soled sneakers, dress shoes, or worn-down treads provide almost no grip on wet or icy surfaces.
You're on your feet all day on variable surfaces — invest in footwear that's rated for the conditions. Many drivers keep winter boots in the van and swap in the coldest months.
When the Path Is Unsafe
If a walkway is clearly impassable — deep ice, no path visible through snow, a step that's structurally compromised — don't attempt it. Mark the delivery as attempted (unsafe access), photograph the hazard, and move on. Let dispatch know and log it in your app.
You are not required to risk an injury to complete a delivery. No stop is worth a torn ligament or broken wrist.
JWA Logistics routes drivers through areas we know, and our team monitors conditions during major weather events. But no one sees every driveway before you do — trust your eyes and your judgment, and don't rush steps you can't safely take.