Trucking in times of COVID-19
Truckers are essential to the survival of the country. Without them, the supply of necessary products would be cut off from those who need them. This has been proven to be true time and time again since the pandemic started spreading around the world. But being essential does not necessarily mean you will be safe, and, while oversize load trucking is mostly a solo endeavor that doesn’t require too much human contact, there will be times in which drivers will be wide open to the possibility of catching the coronavirus.
So, how can a truck driver stay safe from getting sick? Well, it’s definitely going to take some planning ahead and a few simple changes. Let’s take a look:
- Follow the recommended guidelines – yes, wearing a face mask, washing your hands for 20 seconds, social distancing, not touching your face, and using hand sanitizer, work, and they work well, but there are other actions truck drivers may need to take in order to stay safe, such as carrying disinfectant wipes to use on fuel pumps, touchpads, and anything else that they may come into contact with while on the road.
- Planning your route up to the last detail – be aware of which states you will be driving through so as to make a plan that should include travel advisories, lockdowns, availability of food, fuel and hygiene services, etc. Keep in mind that many restaurants have limited their hours and type of service, so, before you hit the road, find out which ones will be available to you in order to keep yourself safe. Stock your truck with food and beverages in case you can’t find a place that is open. Don’t forget to have any wide load permits, trucking permits and fuel permits handy in case you need them.
- Always have a backup plan – Have you given any thought to what you will do if you have symptoms on the road? Make a list of hospitals on your route and make arrangements with your fleet manager for your stranded load if your symptoms become severe and require hospitalization.
This is a time for extraordinary measures, so stay safe, and keep on truckin’!