Wise Trucking Industry Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many of the operational practices that are used to run an efficient logistics operation are the same practices that will help keep drivers safe during a pandemic.

Not only will drivers have less exposure, but employees at shipping/receiving facilities will also have less exposure. In addition, many of these suggestions will help ensure a smooth logistics operation. There are several points of the trucking operation at which modifications should be made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shippers

Loads should be ready to go.
Shipping papers need to be complete.
Special instructions should be pre-written to avoid long, face-to-face conversations.
Drivers should not be forced to wait inside the building.
When the trailer is loaded, call the drivers to the shipping clerk’s window via cell phone or CB radio.
If possible, use drop-and-hook, rather than live load.
For drop-and-hook, use paperwork “drop boxes” or leave the bills in the trailer nose box.

Consignees

Be ready for the delivery.
Special instructions should be pre-written to avoid long face-to-face conversations.
Don’t force the drivers to wait inside the building.
When a door is available, call the drivers via cell phone or CB radio.
If possible, use drop-and-hook, rather than live unload.
For drop-and-hook, use paperwork “drop boxes” or leave the bills of lading (BOLs) in the trailer nose box.

Truck Stops

Make your restaurant a “meals-to-go only” operation. Shorten the menu if necessary.
Close the TV room and/or movie theater.
Sell canned/packaged food that can be consumed in the cab of a truck.

Trucking Companies

Send sick employees home.
Tell exposed employees to call in sick, rather than risk exposing other people.
Reassure employees that missing work does not put their job at risk.
Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to all employees, not just the employees with the greatest exposure.
Prioritize loads.

Be prepared:

to operate with many missing employees (in the office, shop/field, and drivers)
for extensive amounts of overtime (office workers, shop/field employees, and drivers)
for demand to exceed capacity
for some loads to not be delivered