Health, Safety & Wellbeing Policy

Effective Date: 8 May 2026 · Version 1.0

Vyete Technologies Ltd ("Vyete") is committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of all couriers operating within the Vyete Courier Programme. While couriers are independent contractors, Vyete recognises that courier work carries specific physical, occupational, and psychological risks and takes active steps to help manage them.

This Policy supplements the Courier Distribution Agreement and Vehicle & Equipment Standards.

1. Your Responsibility and Vyete's Role

As an independent contractor, you are primarily responsible for your own health and safety. Vyete's role is to:

Provide clear guidance on known risks associated with courier work.
Design the platform and run assignment system in ways that reduce preventable risk (e.g., reasonable time windows, route optimisation).
Maintain channels for reporting safety hazards and incidents.
Signpost support resources for physical and mental wellbeing.
Not apply performance pressure in ways that incentivise unsafe behaviour.

Nothing in this Policy creates an employment relationship. However, Vyete will not knowingly allow conditions on its platform to create avoidable risk to couriers.

2. Fatigue and Working Hours

2.1 Fatigue Risk

Fatigue is one of the leading causes of road incidents. You must not operate a vehicle when your ability to do so safely is impaired by tiredness.

Do not accept runs when you have been awake for more than 14 consecutive hours.
Take a break of at least 20 minutes for every 3 hours of active courier work.
Do not continue active runs if you feel drowsy, are struggling to concentrate, or are experiencing micro-sleeps.

2.2 Platform Design

Vyete's run assignment system is designed to avoid scheduling a single courier for an excessive continuous workload. The platform will prompt you to take a break if your active session exceeds 5 hours. However, you are solely responsible for managing your own working hours if you operate on multiple platforms simultaneously.

2.3 Overnight and Early Hours

Vyete offers runs in overnight and early-morning time windows in some markets. If you accept overnight work:

Ensure you are sufficiently rested before beginning.
Be aware of increased road risk from impaired or intoxicated other road users during late-night hours.
Plan your route with safety stops (well-lit, populated areas) in mind.

3. Physical Health

3.1 Cycling and E-Bike Ergonomics

Couriers using cycles or e-bikes for extended periods are at risk of repetitive strain, lower back pain, and knee injuries if their setup is poor. Vyete recommends:

Adjusting saddle height so your knee is slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
Keeping the handlebar at a height that allows a slight forward lean without strain.
Using padded shorts or seat covers for runs over 2 hours.
Stretching your back, hips, and wrists before and after long sessions.
Not carrying loads that cause the bike to handle unpredictably.

3.2 Manual Handling

For van and car couriers handling heavy or bulky consignments:

Use your legs to lift, not your back. Keep the load close to your body.
Do not attempt to lift consignments above 25 kg unassisted. Flag heavy consignments in the Courier App for two-person handling or mechanical assistance.
Use a trolley or sack truck where provided by the shop or available to you.
Reposition your load before getting out of the vehicle — do not twist and reach in one movement.

3.3 Hydration and Nutrition

Long delivery sessions in warm climates carry dehydration risk, particularly for cyclists. Carry sufficient water for the estimated run duration. Vyete recommends a minimum of 500ml per hour of physical activity in temperatures above 25°C.

3.4 Foot and Back Health

Standing and walking between vehicle and delivery points throughout the day places strain on the feet, lower back, and ankles. Invest in supportive footwear appropriate for your transport mode. Cushioned insoles are recommended for couriers completing more than 5 hours of on-foot delivery per day.

4. Extreme Weather

4.1 Heat

In high-temperature conditions (above 35°C ambient or where a heat health alert is in force):

Reduce your pace and take more frequent rest breaks.
Keep your vehicle well-ventilated; never leave perishable consignments or passengers in a hot vehicle.
Stay hydrated. Early signs of heat exhaustion (dizziness, excessive sweating, rapid pulse) are a signal to stop immediately.
Vyete may reduce run assignment rates in extreme heat events and will not penalise couriers who reduce activity.

4.2 Cold and Ice

In icy or snowy conditions:

Cyclists and motorcyclists should assess whether it is safe to operate before accepting runs. Riding on ice carries a disproportionate accident risk.
Reduce speed and increase following distances significantly.
Wear appropriate warm clothing; cold significantly impairs judgement and reaction time.
Vyete will communicate road condition alerts via the Courier App when weather conditions are severe in your region.

4.3 High Winds

High winds pose significant risk to cyclists, motorcyclists, and van couriers. When wind speeds are above 60 km/h:

Cyclists and motorcyclists should consider pausing activity.
Van couriers should be aware of crosswind instability on elevated roads and bridges.
Avoid parking under trees during storms.

4.4 Low Visibility

Heavy rain, fog, or dust reduces your reaction time and visibility to other road users. In low-visibility conditions:

Reduce speed appropriately.
Use your vehicle's lights and high-visibility clothing.
Increase following distances significantly.
Do not continue if visibility drops to a level where safe operation is not possible.

5. Personal Safety

5.1 Robbery and Theft

If you are threatened or confronted:

Do not resist. Your safety is more important than any consignment.
Comply with demands for your vehicle, equipment, or parcels.
Move to a safe location as soon as possible, then report to [email protected] and local police immediately.
Vyete will not hold you liable for loss of consignments in confirmed robbery incidents where you could not reasonably have prevented the loss.

5.2 Unsafe Delivery Locations

If you arrive at a delivery address that feels unsafe — unlit, isolated, or where you feel threatened — you are not obliged to attempt delivery. Mark the run as "Unable to deliver — safety concern" in the Courier App and return the consignment. Vyete will not apply a performance deduction for genuine safety-related non-delivery.

5.3 Lone Working

Couriers frequently work alone, including late at night. Vyete recommends:

Sharing your planned route with a trusted contact on overnight runs.
Keeping your phone charged throughout your working session.
Using the Emergency SOS feature in the Courier App (long-press the menu button) to alert Vyete's safety team to your live location if you feel at risk.

5.4 Dog Bites and Animal Hazards

Dog bites are among the most common injuries in delivery work. When approaching a property where a dog may be present:

Alert from the gate or path before approaching a door.
Keep your bag between you and an approaching dog.
Do not reach over a gate or fence.
If bitten, seek medical attention immediately and report via the Courier App.

6. Mental Health and Wellbeing

Courier work can be isolating and physically demanding. Vyete recognises that mental health is as important as physical health.

6.1 Vyete's Commitments

Vyete will:

Not design performance incentives that normalise unsafe working behaviour or pressure couriers into working through illness.
Respond compassionately when couriers report personal difficulties affecting their work.
Provide access to wellbeing resources through the Courier App under Help → Wellbeing.

6.2 Support Resources

The Courier App links to the following categories of support:

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — free, confidential counselling and support line.
Occupational health self-referral guidance.
Peer community channels for couriers in your region.
Links to national mental health helplines for your market.

6.3 Reporting Distress

If you are in crisis or feel unable to continue working safely due to mental health, contact [email protected] or the dedicated support line in the Courier App. This line is confidential and will not be used in performance assessments.

7. Accident and Incident Reporting

All accidents, near-misses, injuries, and safety hazards must be reported promptly. Reporting helps Vyete identify systemic risks and improve safety for all couriers.

| Type of Incident | How to Report | Deadline | |---|---|---| | Road traffic accident (however minor) | Courier App → Report Incident | Within 2 hours | | Personal injury (cut, fall, bite, etc.) | Courier App → Report Incident | Same day | | Near-miss (no injury but could have been) | Courier App → Report Near-Miss | Within 24 hours | | Unsafe delivery location | Courier App → Flag Location | At time of incident | | Equipment failure | Courier App → Equipment Issue | Before next run | | Crime (robbery, assault) | Contact police, then [email protected] | Immediately |

Failure to report a road traffic accident promptly may affect insurance claims and performance assessments.

8. Illness and Temporary Incapacity

If you are unwell and unable to work safely:

Set yourself as unavailable in the Courier App before you would normally begin your session.
Do not operate a vehicle if you are taking medication that impairs your judgement, coordination, or reaction time.
There is no obligation on you to work while unwell. Vyete will not apply availability-related penalties during documented illness periods.

9. Policy Updates

Vyete reviews this Policy at least annually and following any significant safety incident. Updates will be communicated through the Courier App with reasonable notice.

10. Contact

Safety emergencies: [email protected] (monitored 24/7)

Wellbeing support: [email protected]

General health and safety queries: [email protected]