Keep updated on COVID-19’s impact on fleet vehicle transport by viewing the PARSinc.com website ‘COVID-19 Update’ link.
PARS transport experts are seeing delays in obtaining some vehicle services and the unavailability of others. We expect that the growing number of state executive orders, or even the possibility of federal orders, will accelerate the rate of closings among state agencies, maintenance facilities, license and titling services, and storage locations that we rely upon to complete our customers’ vehicle relocation projects.
Of course, like all businesses concerned about employee safety and social responsibility, PARS will adhere to all COVID-19 associated governmental directives and CDC safety recommendations. However, our experienced team will review thoroughly and recommend any possible alternative strategies in order to obtain the best results for our customers.
As circumstances change, we will keep you up to date on the impact on service availability. Of course, you can continue to check on your projects through the PARS customer portal, or contact your PARS account person. If you have specific questions around license & titling please email DMV@parsinc.com Any other questions can be directed to dispatch@parsinc.com. Our phone number is being closely monitored so you can expect a timely call back if you leave a message.
Mike Antich, Associate Publisher/Editor at Automotive Fleet
Magazine
Published on March 22, 2020
Fleets are on the front lines dealing with the Coronavirus
Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new respiratory disease that is now a global
pandemic. OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace
free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm,
under which COVID-19 would fall. For many employees, the company vehicle is
their workplace. As fleet manager, your mission is to lower potential
infections among those using fleet assets and to minimize the risk of spreading
the virus to others with whom drivers interact. The virus is primarily spread
via person-to-person contact; however, it is also possible to be infected by
touching a surface, such as a company vehicle, that has living COVID-19 virus
on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
It is important to wipe down with a sanitizer and/or
disinfectant frequently touched vehicle surfaces, such as the steering wheel,
gear shifter, radio, armrest, power window buttons, and door handles. In
addition, drivers should sanitize equipment, such as handheld computers,
scanners, toolboxes, and cart handles used to haul equipment. However, beware
that alcohol- or ammonia-based cleaners may damage the interior dashboard and
seats. Ammonia-based cleaners may damage in-cab touch screen terminal displays.
On the Web site for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is a link with a list
of approved cleaners and disinfectants.
· Cleaners are
used to remove germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not
kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers the risk of infection.
· Disinfectants
are used to kill germs on surfaces. It does not necessarily clean dirty
surfaces, but if used after cleaning, it further lowers the risk of infection.
Personal Hygiene: Drivers should sanitize their hands after
the completion of each delivery or service call. Encourage respiratory
etiquette by covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve to avoid
expelling viral secretions on vehicle surfaces. Encourage drivers to sanitize
all commonly used surfaces multiple times a day. In a shop setting, some
companies timestamp when cleanings occur to reassure that there is a proactive
effort to keep things clean.
Transporting Crews: “Social distancing” is the key to
slowing the spread of the virus by breaking the chain of transmission. If there
are two passengers in a vehicle, some companies ask the passenger to sit in the
back seat to practice a degree of social distancing. Fleet policy guidance is
recommended when multiple people or work crews drive together to a job site.
Some companies are temporarily limiting the number passengers in single vehicle
Sanitizing Pool Vehicles: Instruct drivers to wipe down
every touched surface in a vehicles – first when entering the vehicle and
second, when they return it. The coronavirus can survive for 72 hours on a
surface before dying if the surface is not cleaned.
Tools and Equipment: Discourage workers from using other
workers’ phones, desk, office, or other work tools and equipment when possible.
If the driver is using a cart or dolly on their route, they should clean and
sanitize it. The same is true for tools used by service techs. Mandate cleaning
tools if different techs are using the same tools within a 72-hour period.
Also, clean and disinfect tool belts and other gear prior to reuse using a cleaner
or disinfectant following application instructions on the product label.
Disposal Gloves: If offered, be sure to make latex and
non-latex gloves available because some drivers may be allergic to latex.
Refueling: Instruct drivers to wipe down the fuel pump
handle and keypad prior to inputting their odometer and driver ID. If you don’t
have wipes, then consider using a paper towel to grab the fuel dispenser
handle. Ask drivers to wipe down fuel cards, especially if it is a shared card.
Consider assigning a fuel card to each driver to avoid sharing. If drivers wear
gloves when refueling, be sure to instruct them to dispose of them before
re-entering the cab.
Cabin Filters: Consider accelerating the frequency of
replacing cabin filters beyond OEM schedules and recommendations.
HIPAA Restrictions: The Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (known as HIPAA) makes it a criminal act to divulge
medical information without the employee’s permission. If you are informed that
an employee has tested positive, inform HR and clean the vehicle. Violating
HIPAA regulations could legally comprise yourself and your company.
Customer Interaction Guidelines: Some companies do not
require a customer to sign for services or invoices. Instead the driver signs
on their behalf to avoid the sharing of pens and devices. It is recommended to
avoid letting customers use a company phone and to discourage handshaking.
Also, establish procedures on how a driver interacts with another party if
involved in a street accident.
Personal Use: Consider whether to modify personal use
policies to gain tighter control as who is riding in the vehicle. When
companies allow spouses and children to use company vehicles, it loses control
over who is a passenger in a corporate vehicle.
Mobile Fleet Service Providers: Some fleets are minimizing
driver interaction at service centers by transitioning to mobile fleet service
providers to minimize the need to take a vehicle to a shop.
Resources: As fleet manager, you need to stay abreast of
guidance from governmental health agencies and consider how to incorporate
these recommendations into your fleet.
The CDC provides the latest information about COVID-19 at
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
OSHA offers information specific to workers and employees –
www.osha.gov/covid-19
Commit to doing everything possible to protect drivers and the customers with whom they come in contact and their loved ones. Be positive, empathetic, and solutions driven to help fleet users during this uncertain time.