Safety inductions for truck drivers while Covid-19’s a chaos

June 26, 2021

Safety inductions for truck drivers while Covid-19’s a chaos

As frequent outing people and always at risk of contact with many different people, truck drivers need to pay special attention to these notices to ensure their safety during work.

In the face of unpredictable developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, truck drivers, especially those who do goods transport on short- and medium-range, need special care to keep safety for themselves. Due to they often contact many people and have complicated travel routes during the pandemic. Therefore, in order to protect themselves and the community, truck drivers need to pay special attention to the following guidelines for safe journeys during today’s epidemic times.

Wear masks:

Wear masks during work in public places;
Do not touch the mask while wearing it;
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth when removing the mask;
Wash hands before wearing and after removing the mask;
Wash masks often if using fabric masks;
Make sure to always have backup masks;
When it is necessary to drive in groups or with an accompanying person, please maintain wearing a mask and refrain from chatting with people nearby;
Make sure that the mask does not block your vision and other activities while driving.

Wash your hands at these key times

Before entering and leaving the cab, including deliveries, loading and unloading of cargo, rest breaks, fueling, and other activities.
Before, during, and after preparing food.
Before eating food.
After using the toilet.
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
After putting on, touching, or removing cloth masks.
Before and after work and work breaks.
Before and after fueling.

Clean surfaces:

Clean and disinfect belongings and surfaces that are frequently touched;
Clean the cockpit area periodically or at least daily;
Cleaning driver side door handles, steering wheel, seat belts and buckles, armrests and headrests, seat coverings, turn signal levers, wipers, controls controls, air conditioning doors, radio and temperature controls;
If a third party insists on getting inside the truck (eg mechanic, other driver, inspector), ask them to clean and disinfect the vehicle before returning the vehicle.

Keep distance:

Keep a minimum distance of 2m from staffs of stations or stopover …;
Try to use payment methods and electronic invoices, minimize the use of paper invoices when filling, delivering or other sales activities;
Contact facilities in advance to make an appointment for unloading of cargo. Be aware that some facilities may not grant access to restrooms, and plan as best you can.
Wear gloves during the loading and unloading of goods;
Use telephones to talk to the pier management and other drivers if possible
Avoid shaking hands
Use pre-qualified truck stops or hotels identified by your employer as having appropriate COVID-19 protections.
Use self-prepared personal food and drinks when traveling on long distances;
Do not share personal protective equipment (PPE) such as protective clothing, goggles, telephones, walkie-talkies and other personal items;
Keep your truck well-ventilated
Record travel journey (time and place to stop), the number of people you exposed during the working process.