Masks and permits become the norm as Lindsay offers voluntary testing
Lindsay Australia and Toll Group have offered insights on how the latest Covid-19 spike has prompted further truck driver and business operation adjustments.
Lindsay, which confirms is a Covid-safe registered business in NSW, says it “has continued to adapt and implement recommendations and changes in line with state and federal authorities with the daily changes specifically in NSW and Vic occurring.”
Its updated measures include:
- all drivers to carry a mask, gloves and hand sanitizer – at all times drivers who have been in a hotspot within the past 14 days have a responsibility and must wear a mask when outside the vehicle
- carry an up to date border crossing permit for the specific border that requires crossing,
- carry a close contact form no more than 14 days old and kept up to date with contact tracing information
- carry a Covid workers declaration form no more than 14 days old and signed.
- carry a copy of the Lindsay Transport Covid safety plan (an electronic copy is on every iFace in-cab device.
“Our drivers that have travelled interstate from hotspots, when not operating their vehicle within the last 14 days is required to isolate,” Lindsay’s communique continues.
“We are providing alternative accommodation to support our drivers through this stage.
“This week we have also commenced providing voluntary Covid testing for drivers that have been in hotspot areas as an added layer of protection for our employees, our families, members of the public and our customers.”
How streamlined freight border controls were given the green light, here
Meanwhile, Toll notes it continues to monitor guidance by the World Health Organisation and other credible government and public health authorities and taking action in line with their recommendations, including but not limited to travel, quarantine, self-isolation, PPE and other local and/or country-specific restrictions and policies.
For example, everyone at Toll sites and/or conducting work on behalf of Toll in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will be wearing face masks, and team members no longer enter any aged care facility or hospital to conduct pick-ups or deliveries.
Other measures have included:
- Sharing advice to our teams about how to stay healthy, including practicing frequent handwashing and social distancing
- Regularly cleaning our workplaces, vehicles and delivery equipment such as scanners
- Encouraging team members to monitor their health and seek medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms. Any team member who reports or displays flu-like symptoms will be asked to stay home
- Supporting our teams to follow travel advice and quarantine practices as directed by local authorities
- Supporting our office teams to work from home
The company has an established a group-wide response team to manage its response, and business continuity plans are in place across the business to ensure it can continue to serve customers.
“Today marks the start of a new stage in our fight against COVID-19 in Victoria,” Toll Global Logistics president Peter Stokes posted online recently.
“We’re supplying our people across all our sites in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire with masks to help stop the spread.
“We’ve had measures in place for some time to keep our workplaces safe, including social distancing, shift segregation and increased health and hygiene practices.
“In many cases, our vehicles are our workplace, with sanitisation at the start and at the end of every shift, and protocols in place to regularly clean high touch point areas and objects such as keys.
“The health and safety of our people, customers and communities remain our number one priority.”
Somewhat poignantly for Toll, the company also notes it has “extensive experience in facing challenging situations that require us to implement contingency plans that maintain our operations”.
“We have flexibility across our extensive network so that we can continue providing the best service possible to our customers.
“For COVID-19, our pandemic response includes activating our business continuity plans, so that we can continue to serve our customers. We will regularly review and update these plans as the situation evolves, so we can continue to provide the best possible service.”