Running a fleet relies on drivers being fit and well to operate the vehicles so they can deliver goods and or services to clients. Keeping drivers socially distanced from each other and any other people they may come into contact with will help make sure that they are kept as safe as possible during their job.
Maintain the same teams of drivers
If multiple employees or drivers are required to share a vehicle in order to do their work correctly it can be almost impossible to keep socially distanced within a vehicle. If this is the case then we recommend keeping drivers within specific teams, this will minimise the mixing of drivers. If it becomes apparent that one driver needs to self-isolate, you will only need to isolate one team of drivers instead of the whole fleet which will minimize business downtime. Keeping track of the driver teams is very important for tracing who has been in close contact throughout the organisation.
Using PPE
Encourage your drivers to always wear suitable masks when in contact with other team member or delivering goods to clients or customers. Masks can help reduce the spread of the virus and therefore can protect your employees. In addition to ensuring drivers are wearing masks providing drivers with hand sanitiser and reminding them to use it after each interaction or delivery with a customer will help stop the spread of the virus through contact with surfaces including door handles etc.
Delivering at a distance
Prior to Covid-19 you may have delivered to clients exactly where they required the product to be used, for example, in some circumstances this may have resulted in drivers or employees entering the homes or workplaces of clients in order to provide the best customer service possible. Covid-19 has changed the way many delivery services operate, providing contactless delivery and removing the need for a signature is now commonplace and expected by a large proportion of the population. Advising drivers on the best way to deliver without contact and informing customers in advance of these changes will not only help reduce the potential spread of the virus but will keep clients up to date on the positive changes your business is putting in place to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Cleaning vehicles
There are many touch points within a vehicle that can harbour bacteria and result in the potential spread of Covid-19 between vehicle users. We suggest in order to keep drivers safe consider putting a policy in place that when a vehicle has been used it must be cleaned by that driver before being used again. Common touchpoints that need to be sufficiently cleaned and disinfected include:
- Steering Wheel
- Door handles (inside and outside)
- All switches and knobs inside the vehicle e.g. indicators, lights, heating and aircon switches
- Gear stick
- Sun visor
