New Resources Available for Employers, Drivers, Shippers and Receivers

Source: BC Trucking Association
https://www.bctrucking.com/content/covid-19-news-resources-industry

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised some anxiety about truck drivers, especially cross-border drivers. We designed the following resources as a guide to help revise processes to create safe work procedures for pick-up and drop-off. The goal is to ensure pick-ups and drop-offs are site-specific. Our intention is to ensure good communication among drivers and each site they visit.

This document is an overview of how employers can safely have drivers on their work sites, regardless of whether they have crossed the US border.

All of the resources attached are designed to begin communication before the driver arrives on-site. Planning and communicating the details about what each party needs to do before the driver arrives will shorten the time the driver is on-site. This will lessen the chance of either person being exposed to the virus.

To assist you in preparing for increased operations under the “new normal,” I am pleased to advise you that SafetyDriven, our Health and Safety Association, has developed a collection of resources to improve communication around COVID-19 safe practices for how employers can safely have commercial drivers on their worksite. These resources have been reviewed and endorsed by the Provincial government and can be found here: https://safetydriven.ca/covid-19/

Minister Trevena has provided her endorsement, and we encourage you to use these resources to guide your business operations:

The commercial trucking industry plays a vital role in ensuring British Columbians can continue to access food, medicine, healthcare supplies and other essential goods and services.
I know industry members are facing some unique challenges as a result of COVID-19, and I want to express my gratitude for your dedication and resilience during this difficult time.

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry have identified commercial transport as an essential service. The industry
is encouraged to continue to operate while following the orders and guidance of the Provincial Health Office, ensuring that workers remain safe as possible while taking all necessary
precautions to minimize the risks of transmitting the virus.

The Safe Drivers Communication Tools Package is a valuable resource for commercial trucking companies that will help protect workers and minimize the spread of COVID-19. Its
common-sense focus on transparency and accountability will assure workers, employers and communities that the transportation sector is doing everything in its power to keep people
safe while continuing to meet customer needs. I hope you and your organization will take advantage of the information in this package as part of your commitment to excellence.

I know COVID-19 has touched all our lives and changed the way we do business, and I want to thank you again for your ability to adapt to this unusual time.
I hope you all continue to stay safe and well.

Sincerely,

Claire Trevena
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure