On April 1, Transport Canada, the department within the government of Canada responsible for developing trucking regulations, announced that they worked with Employment and Social Development Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada to develop guidance for those in the transportation industry, incorporating guidelines established by the Canadian government and the World Health Organization to do so.
With over 10,000 COVID-19 cases in Canada at the moment, it is essential that truckers and transportation professionals alike are able to refer to this collaboratively-built guidance to keep themselves, those they work with, and those around them as safe as possible from COVID-19.
At Omnitracs, the safety and wellbeing of the truckers and transportation professionals we serve is always top of mind. As such, we are highlighting the main takeaways from the guidance provided by Transport Canada to serve as a reachable reference:
It all begins with fleet managers and operators
In addition to implementing mandatory and essential hygienic guidance and protection for all truck drivers, fleet managers should also minimize the number of vehicles shared by employees whenever possible to limit the spread. Fleet managers should also ensure that all trucks are equipped with disinfectants, hand sanitizer, personal protective equipment, and other essential sanitary materials truckers need to stay safe in the viral era of COVID-19.
Commercial vehicle operators who are federally regulated for occupational health and safety should make certain that their health program is current and reflects the hazards of COVID-19 and preventative measures needed. This guidance also has stated that it is the responsibility of these operators to provide COVID-19 safety training to drivers, as well as any timely public health recommendations and updates.
How drivers can protect themselves before, during, and after a trip
Any driver experiencing symptoms, even a mild fever or cough, should stay home and advise their employer of anyone they may have come into contact with. If you’re a healthy driver, here are the steps you should take before your trip:
- Wipe interior vehicle surfaces down with a hard-surface disinfectant
- Use personal protective equipment, disposable cloths, paper towels or absorbent materials, waste bags, cleaning agents, and disinfectants to clean the truck, and make sure these items are available at your disposal at all times
- Pay special attention to high-touch surfaces inside your truck, such as door handles, the steering wheel, and your dashboard
- Dispose of anything soiled or used for cleaning in a waste disposal bag
- Wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap and water after you finish disinfecting
Once starting your trip, it is imperative that you maintain sanitation standards at all times. Here are the behaviors the guidance recommends during your trip:
- Frequently wash your hands with soap under warm, running water
- Use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not accessible
- Cover your hands with gloves when coming into contact with anything potentially unsanitary, such as a gas pump or a service station door handle
- Keep at least six feet away from anyone you come into contact with
You’re nearly finished! After your trip, you should:
- Repeat a thorough cleaning of high-touch surfaces in your truck
- Stay home, self-isolate, and notify your employer if you experience any signs of illness
- On your off time, abide by recommendations set out by public health and government officials in order to limit potential exposure to COVID-19
The safety of drivers and all transportation professionals is our foremost priority. We will make sure to keep updating our blog with any supplementary and essential safety tips and regulatory updates as they come along. In the meantime, you can review this additional in-depth breakdown of Transport Canada’s guidance for commercial vehicles.