The end of the year is a time of increased work for the entire CEP sector. Courier companies begin preparing for the holiday parcel peak, which takes place then, several months in advance. It is a real test of service quality for them.
Already at the beginning of December, the number of delivered parcels begins to gradually increase. Customers buy their first Christmas gifts ordered in online stores, and companies send courtesy gifts to business partners as well as documents regarding year-round operations. In the pre-Christmas period, couriers face a very difficult task. How to cope with a huge volume of parcels, heavy traffic, and unfavorable weather conditions, while maintaining road safety?
– We place great emphasis on courier work standards. Our subcontractors know perfectly well how important it is to properly plan working hours, rest breaks, and travel routes. All of this minimizes the risk that time pressure or excessive fatigue will become the cause of a collision or road accident. Equally important is the regular checking of the technical condition of vehicles and their adaptation to driving in difficult weather conditions. Winter tires and constant checks of the vehicle’s technical condition are the basis – explains Krzysztof Poznański, Fleet Manager.
A courier’s work is particularly responsible because it involves participating in public road traffic. During the pre-Christmas period, logistics companies especially appeal to their subcontractors for caution and extraordinary concentration, knowing that parcel peaks are exceptionally demanding for them. That is why DHL Parcel does everything to take the best possible care of the safety of not only couriers but also all road users.
– We know how important courier education in the field of safety is, which is why we constantly emphasize building awareness of safe driving among them. We strictly require compliance with traffic regulations, which we remind them of during morning briefings. At the same time, we have decided to conduct periodic checks. We have the ability to test drivers with breathalyzers, which gives us certainty that they can drive safely – explains Wojciech Andziak, Safety and Security Manager at DHL Parcel.
– Promoting a safety culture in the organization has a huge impact on driving culture, which is why, as a socially responsible company, we try to shape it with due attention. I am convinced that influencing areas such as communication, motivation for safe behavior, or OHS education contributes to increasing the level of safety for couriers and other road users – comments Igor Caban, Managing Director of DHL Parcel.