Cellar Drop and Drayman Delivery Safety Toolbox Talk

This Cellar Drop and Drayman Delivery Safety Toolbox Talk is written for cellar and bar staff at licensed venues that receive regular barrel, keg and crate deliveries through a front‑of‑house pavement hatch. It highlights the hazards of hatch collapse, uncontrolled barrel drops, manual‑handling injuries and the risk of members of the public being struck by falling loads.

Use this toolbox talk for:

• Training new delivery crews on safe loading, lowering and storage procedures
• Refreshing existing staff on manual‑handling best practice and public safety
• Auditing compliance with manual handling duties and delivery protocols

This template is fully editable and shareable, allowing you to tailor the wording, insert venue‑specific details and add your branding as required.

Key control measures include a thorough inspection of the hatch before each delivery, the use of calibrated lowering equipment, a trained spotter to monitor the load path, and a clear, obstacle‑free manual‑handling route to the cellar. Staff are instructed to use team lifts for loads over 25 kg, secure loads with appropriate restraints, and maintain clear communication throughout the operation. Additional steps cover public protection by cordoning off the pavement area, immediate reporting of near‑misses, and a post‑delivery safety check to ensure the hatch is closed and the work area is tidy. These procedures help minimise musculoskeletal strain, prevent crushing injuries and reduce the likelihood of accidents involving customers or passers‑by.

Compliant with: Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and BS EN 13155 for industrial trucks and load‑handling devices.