Tasman Logistics and Australian Container Freight Services highlight tightened pandemic safety actions
With transport interests in Victoria required to complete COVID Safe Plans in line with the state’s Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions, some operators have outlined their procedures to remain compliant.
The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) reminds operators that, from midnight on August 7, all Victorian employers must have completed their COVID Safe plans, which “must be for Victoria – non-Victorian plans will not be accepted”.
Interstate drivers will also be required to have a Victorian COVID Safe Plan and a work permit.
The plan must set out:
- your actions to help prevent the introduction of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace
- the level of face-covering or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for your workforce
- how you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace
- this plan must demonstrate how you will meet all of the requirements set out by the Victorian Government. Some higher-risk industries or workplaces have additional requirements of employers and employees.
Mixed transport feedback over Stage 4 lockdown
Intermodal transport and port logistics firm Tasman Logistics highlights the steps it has taken to be able to “assure everyone that all our divisions will operate on a business-as-usual basis”.
“We have been forced to make some further adjustments to our workforce, however we do not feel that any of these changes will affect our current operations and quality of service,” a company communique from CEO Ivan Vanis states.
“We also understand that some of our customers or customers of customers, may be forced to shut down or reduce their operation size.
“In these circumstances we will work with all our partners to ensure that your freight is properly managed during the current restrictions in a manner that doesn’t cause dramatic impact to your supply chain.”
Vanis has listed some of the key changes that have been implemented in Tasman Logistics’ business since March, as well as some of the new changes that became effective on August 5:
1. Paperless operations across as many business divisions as possible, including the recent implementation of an FAK booking system that runs on a paperless and zero human contact scenario
2. No unnecessary travel between sites
3. A large number of staff are working from home where possible
4. All Tasman sites have sanitiser units and staff are all wearing masks
5. All Tasman trucks have sanitiser in the cabin
6. A Pandemic Co-ordinator has been appointed within the business to manage day-to-day discussions
7. Our Senior management team is holding a “teams” meeting every morning at 9am to manage and implement any new changes/restrictions
8. Warehousing operations will work on split shifts to meet the required “two-thirds” ruling.
“I would like to thank all our business partners for their support and efforts and hope that you can remain positive and find reasons to smile as we navigate our way through this once in a lifetime crisis,” Vanis adds.
Vanis adds the company’s High Risk COVID-19 Safety Plan is in effect immediately.
Similarly, Australian Container Freight Services (ACFS) Port Logistics reports it has implemented a number of proactive measures to ensure safety and prevention of COVID-19, those being:
- immediately implement dedicated ‘COVID-19 Safety Officers’ to support our business in executing our policies and procedures regarding the prevention of COVID-19
- ensuring all sites have exceptional sanitisations stations and protocols
- ensuring temperature checks are conducted on employees
- erect ‘COVID-19’ Notice Boards to ensure up to date information is displayed and available to all employees, contractors and visitors.
“As an essential service provider, it’s our job to deliver essential products to the community, whilst protecting our workforce and the community at large, and stop the spread of COVID-19,” the company notes.
COVID Safe templates are available here.