Safeguarding Transportation Drivers: COVID-19 Prevention Tips

Hygiene and safety measures

• Avoid close contact with people (especially if they are sick) and respect social distancing 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth 
• Cover your cough or sneeze (either with a tissue or into the bend of your arm)
• Self-quarantine if you are sick, or have been in close contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19
• Notify your manager and provide the names of those you were in contact with
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (minimum 20 seconds), utilize a paper towel to turn off the tap and to open doors
• Utilize an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after touching foreign objects
• Limit slip seating of vehicles as well as disinfect tractors between shifts, wiping down gear shifts, seatbelts, steering wheels, cab and cargo doors, dolly hand cranks etc.

Limit contact with others

• Avoid group gatherings and social interactions
• Avoid hand shaking and physical contact with others
• Limit personal contact between drivers/dispatchers.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, communicate via electronic methods to minimize close contact with people
• Limit face-to-face engagements during pickups and deliveries - avoid sharing items such as pens, pencils, clipboards, bar coding devices, dollies/handcarts, pallet jacks etc.

Truck and rest stops and food areas

• Limit contact in social lounges (TV Rooms, Game Rooms, etc.) 
• Do not use buffet style food stations – avoid food served in open serve areas and food items that are not wrapped
• Consider preparing your meals at home (when possible)
• Try to avoid general surface areas in public places, such as door/faucet handles, phones, ATM machines, keyboards, or touch screens. If not avoidable, be sure to wash your hands, or use hand sanitizer 
• Wash hands with soap and/or sanitizers after handling fuel nozzles and other devices common to fuel stops