According to the U.S Census, there are over 3.5 million truckers on the road. Keeping them safe, especially during a pandemic, is a challenge, but don’t worry; we are here to help! Trucker safety during COVID-19 means that truckers need to learn new safety precautions while still practicing their tried and true safety measures. We are going to take a look at all of the Coronavirus safety tips for truckers that you need to know to manage your fleet. Let’s get started!

Personal Protective Equipment

Covid prevention for long-haul truckers starts with securing the individual driver. All drivers should be equipped with their own personal protective equipment or PPE. This includes items such as the following:
  • Multiple Face Masks
  • Disposable Gloves
  • Face Shields
  • Hand Sanitizer
These items will help protect the driver from exposure or transmission of the Covid-19 virus. The CDC recommends that masks be worn over the nose and mouth to avoid the spread of the virus. Additionally, hand sanitizer should be at least 60% alcohol and only used when hand washing is not possible.

Dash Cams and GPS

Dash cams have long been a staple in protecting long-haul truckers. Most dash cams are now equipped with some kind of GPS tracking, which can be useful during the pandemic. GPS tracking can help fleet managers keep track of where their drivers are located, and in turn, fleet managers can monitor specific regions where the virus is more prevalent. Knowing when a driver has been to a location with certainty can help slow the spread of the virus among other drivers and people around the country. Additionally, dash cams have long served the purpose of helping defend drivers in the event of an accident.

Managing Daily Life

It is important that drivers can still go about their normal schedules without compromising their sleep or eating habits. If your driver does not have their own sleeping quarter in the rig, they might need to use a hotel or motel for accommodations. Encourage your driver to bring their own sleeping materials such as pillows, blankets, etc. In terms of eating out, it is best to have your driver stick to using a credit or debit card for any transactions, or have them pay online and use touch-less pick-up for take-out food. While at the pump, encourage your drivers to use gloves while fueling and sanitize before and after filling up their tank.

Managing Trucker Safety

Managing trucker safety during COVID-19 might sound tricky, but it doesn’t have to be so challenging with these simple steps! Here at TrackNet, we work with fleet managers to track over 70,000 vehicles. Our services are meant to reduce stress and keep drivers safe, especially during these uncertain times. We would love to connect further with you. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you manage your fleet, contact us today!