Organizations and individuals are coming together to support the “Highway Heroes” delivering the essential goods we rely on during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please take a moment to think about how much we rely on commercial truck drivers — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic as they deliver our groceries, medical supplies, and so much more.

But truck drivers’ jobs have gotten tougher as more and more businesses along their routes have shut down. With so many businesses closed, it’s been hard for drivers to get food at their usual places. In response, a group of B.C. business owners and the BC Trucking Association (BCTA) launched the Meals for Truckers program on April 20. Its goal is to ensure that commercial truck drivers have the resources and support they need to continue doing their jobs. The program points drivers to food truck locations where they can pick up a meal, as well as find restroom facilities, truck-friendly hotels and motels, and other resources.

I spoke with Dave Earle, president of the BCTA, who described how successful the program has been.

“When you think about where we are today, compared to the problems we were having in the first two weeks, when drivers were unable to find food anywhere, it’s been absolutely remarkable,” Dave says, adding that the vast majority of the meals have been at no charge to truckers.

A number of corporate sponsors have stepped in and paid food truck owners to fund meals. So have private individuals. (See sponsorship opportunities for more information if you’re interested.)

Not only does this service benefit truck drivers, it’s also good for food truck operators. Many are looking for new opportunities after losing business from cancelled festivals and events.

Says Dave: “They’re the smallest of small businesses and we have so many of them throughout the province. Now they can sign up on our website and we’ll work to find them a site. We want to help them get involved.”

Keeping truck drivers safe as well as fed
In addition to feeding drivers, industry has been brainstorming ways to protect them, since they can potentially encounter a lot of people. Using electronic signatures and other virtual technologies are among the solutions for minimizing contact between truck drivers and workers at companies when products are picked up and dropped off.

“We have been getting the industry together to come up with some best practices and solutions to solve the day-to-day issues that have come about as a result of COVID-19,” says Suki Singh, a transportation OHS consultant with WorkSafeBC. “Drivers need simple protocols on how to reduce touch points, keep them safe, and make things easier.”

Suki worked with the BCTA and SafetyDriven to create the COVID-19 Safe Drivers Communication Tools Package. It offers resources for helping trucking companies and their customers communicate about their new safety protocols and processes.

“It’s been tough but the industry has come together to try to help in as many ways as they can,” says Suki, describing the growing support he has seen in communities throughout the province. “I think it’s good how humanity seems to have come to the forefront again. People are saying: ‘You know what? I’m in a difficult spot, so is somebody else. What can I do to help?’”

Learn more about individual Highway Heroes honoured on the Meals for Truckers website, and nominate your own Highway Hero in your family or community.

Source: https://speakingofsafety.ca/

Langley, British Columbia—Statistics the BC Trucking Association (BCTA) has gathered for May 2020 indicate that all members surveyed – trucking and motor coach companies and the suppliers and service providers supporting them – don’t expect to return to pre-COVID-19 business levels for another 10 to 11 months and longer for motor coach companies, who expect to face up to another 20 months of recovery from the harsh changes imposed by the pandemic. Some may not make it that far.

BCTA conducted a third COVID-19 Impact Survey of its members between May 27 and June 9, focusing on data for May 2020, following surveys for March and April. In this latest survey, looking only at the next three months, 92 percent of motor coach company respondents indicated they are concerned about the survival of their business (an increase of 7 percent over April). For trucking, 32 percent of respondents are concerned about survival (a decrease of 5 percent) and for suppliers, the number of respondents concerned for survival in the short term has risen by 7 percent since April, to 25 percent overall.

“The majority of our members support government measures to deal with COVID-19, things like closing the border and following stringent health protocols to keep drivers and customers safe,” says Dave Earle, BCTA president & CEO. “What BCTA is looking at now is how to address changes to operations and find ways to help companies survive until BC’s economy starts to recover. Our own concern is that business will take longer to rebound than we’d like, putting some BC road carriers in jeopardy.”

BCTA’s motor coach members, in particular, have good cause to worry about fallout from the pandemic. BC as yet has no date for a return to international travel, concerts, or conventions, the lifeblood of seasonal support operations like charter coach services. Trucking companies are affected by steep drops in retail sales, housing starts, exports to the US and imports from China and other global supply chain members.

Results of the third COVID-19 Impact Survey indicate that:

• Trucking companies have, on average, experienced a 23 percent drop in revenue, a slight improvement of 7 percent from our previous survey in April, when revenue fell, on average, by 30 percent;
• Motor coach companies saw an average 97 percent drop in revenue, a slight increase over April (about 1 percent); and
• Suppliers and service providers realized a 39 percent drop in revenue, a further 3 percent drop compared to April.

As employers, BCTA members are also struggling to keep staff working, and layoffs continued through May, in spite of government wage subsidy and other programs:

• For trucking companies:

• • In April, 53 percent reported an average 22 temporary layoffs per company, and 24 percent reported an average of 2 permanent layoffs.
  • By May, 54 percent reported 9 temporary layoffs per company and 21 percent reported 2 permanent layoffs.

• For motor coach companies:

• • In April, 92 percent reported an average of 41 temporary layoffs, with 15 percent reporting an average of 17 permanent layoffs.
  • For May, 83 percent reported an average of 42 temporary layoffs, and 8 percent reported an average of 5 permanent layoffs.

• For suppliers and service providers:

• • In April, 40 percent of respondents reported temporarily laying off an average of 34 employees, and 7 percent reported permanent layoffs of an average of 11 employees.
  • For May, 42 percent of employers temporarily laid off an average of 21 employees, while 16 percent permanently laid off an average of 27.

BCTA is assisting our members by developing health protocols and guidance for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), approved by the Provincial Health Office, to ensure that our trucking and motor coach members are equipped to effectively address working within parameters imposed by COVID-19. Until supplies of PPE improved, we obtained and distributed thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer to our members at cost, as well as non-medical face masks for truck drivers and other employees. While charter bus services will depend on a return to travel options and demand, they also face, more than trucking, the need to build consumer confidence.

BCTA continues to keep members informed about government programs available to assist businesses, including loans (including for commercial rent), wage subsidies, and payment deferrals. With the Canadian Trucking Alliance, we’re advocating changes to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, so that more companies are eligible to benefit.

Background

BCTA’s third COVID-19 Impact Survey (May 2020) had a response rates of 21 percent for trucking company members and 57 percent for motor coach company members. The second survey (for April 2020) received response rates of 24 percent and 62 percent, respectively.

For suppliers and service providers among our membership, the response rate for the third survey was 18 percent (compared 23 percent for the second survey). Almost half of these respondents (44 percent) were truck/trailer manufacturers, dealers, and/or dealt with sales, service, repair and rentals. The remaining respondents included insurance, driver training schools, safety or environmental consultants, HR or employment services, financing, transportation management systems, communications, marketing or legal services.

Percentages regarding expectations for economic recovery quoted above are based on weighted averages for responses from each survey group.

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Richmond, B.C. (June 8, 2020) — WorkSafeBC today announced that it is extending the deferral period for quarterly premium payments for an additional three months, without penalty or interest.
In order to ensure account balances are correct, employers will still be required to report their payroll for the first and second quarters by July 20, 2020. However, the payments for the first and second quarters will not be due until October 20, 2020, when third-quarter payments are due.
The deferral only impacts employers who are required to report payroll and pay premiums on a quarterly basis. Employers who report annually will not be impacted because they do not report payroll or pay premiums until March 2021.
WorkSafeBC recognizes the challenges many employers are facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and has taken several measures to support them, including:

• On March 27, WorkSafeBC announced that first-quarter premiums were deferred until June 30, 2020, without penalty or interest. Approximately 27,000 employers in the province opted to take advantage of the premium-deferral measure.
• On May 26, WorkSafeBC announced it was waiving premiums on wages paid to furloughed workers of employers receiving the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy. This change was retroactive to the March 15, 2020 start date of the CEWS and will continue for the duration of the program.

Preliminary Base Premium Rates for 2021
WorkSafeBC is postponing the release of its 2021 preliminary rates — and the associated rate consultation sessions — until the fall of this year.
The release of the preliminary rates and consultation sessions were originally scheduled to occur in July, but WorkSafeBC has determined that additional time is required due to the economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The additional time will provide a better perspective on the prospects for the investment markets and the economy, which is required to complete the year-end forecasting, an integral element in determining next year’s rates.

About WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC engages workers and employers to prevent injury, disease, and disability in B.C. When work-related injuries or diseases occur, WorkSafeBC provides compensation and support to people in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work. We serve approximately 2.4 million workers and 245,000 employers across B.C.

For more information, contact:
Media Relations, WorkSafeBC
Email: media@worksafebc.com
Tel: 604-276-5157

Source: WorkSafeBC

The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper on adding diseases caused by communicable viral pathogens, including COVID-19, to Schedule 1 of the Workers Compensation Act with options and draft amendments to stakeholders for comment.

If a disease is identified in Schedule 1 and the worker was employed in the corresponding process or industry listed in the Schedule, then WorkSafeBC presumes the cause of the disease is work-related, unless the contrary is proved.

Proposed deletions are identified with a strikethrough and additions are identified in bold.

Discussion paper

There are a number of ways for stakeholders to provide feedback on the options and draft amendments:

The consultation period for this item will end at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2020 (consultation has been expedited and will end on June 12th, in order for the Board of Directors to consider the proposed amendments at its July meeting). The Board of Directors will consider stakeholder feedback before making a decision on the draft amendments.

Please note that all comments become part of the Policy, Regulation and Research Division’s database and may be published, including the identity of organizations and those participating on behalf of organizations. The identity of those who have participated on their own behalf will be kept confidential according to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Temporary changes and legislative requirements

In order to address a possible shortage of cleaning supplies containing chemicals effective against the COVID-19 virus in Canada, Health Canada has put in place an interim policy that will allow quicker imports of products from the United States (U. S.).

Continue to read full announcement.

Langley, British Columbia—The BC Trucking Association (BCTA) says that results of a second COVID-19 Impact Survey of its members, focusing on operational challenges for April 2020, indicate that trucking and motor coach companies and the suppliers who support them in providing critical services to British Columbians are severely strained by the ongoing effect of the pandemic, including significant revenue losses and staff layoffs that continue to increase.

“Our members have been incredibly heartened by the public’s growing awareness of the essential role that our industry plays in their lives – in the comfort and care that they experience as families and communities, during ordinary and extraordinary times,” says Dave Earle, BCTA President & CEO. “But in these extraordinary times, we’re hard hit. The viability of the road transportation industry and the economy always go hand in hand.”

BCTA has been carrying out monthly COVID-19 surveys of all its members. Following implementation in March, the association surveyed members a second time for operations in April 2020 and will continue to trace the trajectory of the pandemic’s effect.

Results of the second COVID-19 Impact Survey indicate that:
– Trucking companies have, on average, experienced a 29.8 percent drop in revenue, a further drop of 9.3 percent following our first survey in March;
– Motor coach companies continue to be hardest hit by COVID-19 measures, with an average 96.1 percent drop in revenue, a further 4 percent reduction from March; and
– Industry suppliers, BCTA’s associate members, realized a 35.9 percent drop in revenue, a further 7.7 percent drop compared to March.

Trucking companies, though providing essential supplies like food, fuel and medical equipment, are struggling with severe decreases in demand for transporting other types of cargo, including cross border and in support of Asia-Pacific trade. As well, too many return trips are empty.

“None of these numbers are good, but we’re especially concerned about motor coach companies,” says Earle. “BC’s motor coach businesses have been devastated by the shutdown of tourism, the cruise ship industry, ski hills and parks, and headline concerts and entertainment events.”

Large numbers of commercial vehicles are parked, whether heavy trucks or buses, and, relatedly, the businesses that supply new vehicles, parts, insurance, and other services are similarly strained.

As employers, BCTA members are also struggling to keep staff working, and layoffs increased from March to April, in spite of government wage subsidy and other programs:
– For trucking companies, 37 percent of survey respondents had to temporarily lay off an average of 5 employees in March. By April, 53 percent of businesses responding reported an average 22 temporary layoffs, and 24 percent reported an average of 2 permanent layoffs.
For motor coach companies, 77 percent responding temporarily laid off an average of 25 employees in March. In April, 92 percent of respondents reported an average of 41 temporary layoffs, with 15 percent reporting an average of 17 permanent layoffs.
– For associate members, 42 percent of respondents had to temporarily lay off an average of 24 employees in March. In April, 40 percent of respondents reported laying off an average of 34 employees. Among these businesses, 10 percent of respondents had to permanently lay off an average of 7 employees; in April, 7 percent of respondents reported permanent layoffs of an average of 11 employees.

Overall, 85 percent of motor coach respondents indicated they were concerned about the survival of their business if current conditions continue for at least the next three months, compared to 37 percent of motor carrier respondents, and 18 percent of associate member respondents.

Despite the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the commercial road transportation industry in BC, about 90 percent of BCTA’s members support government measures to “flatten the curve” and reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

“Our industry appreciates current federal and provincial government relief measures,” Earle confirmed, “but further action is required to ensure the protection of BC’s supply chain in response to COVID-19 and its aftermath. We recommend strategies like expanding provincial sales tax exemptions for equipment and continued support for investment in clean technology. For motor coach companies, an extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy could help motor coach companies providing seasonal transportation survive, while we all adapt to the ‘new normal’ in BC.”

Background
BCTA conducted the second COVID-19 Impact Survey between April 29 and May 14, 2020, and received a very strong response rate from members, at 24 percent of trucking company members, 62 percent of motor coach members, and 23 percent of associate members.

BCTA associate members include truck and trailer manufacturers, and dealers providing sales, service, repair and/or rentals; driver training schools; safety or environmental consultants; HR or employment services; insurance and financing providers and consultants; transportation management system providers; and communications and legal services.

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BCTA, a member-based, non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization, is the recognised voice of the provincial motor carrier industry, representing over 1,200 truck and motor coach fleets and over 200 suppliers to the industry. BCTA members operate over 13,000 vehicles, employ 26,000 people, and generate over $2 billion in revenue annually in the province.

For more information, please contact: Dave Earle, President & CEO
Office: 604-888-5319 Mobile: 604-787-1335 Toll-free in BC: 1-800-565-2282

WorkSafeBC’s Research Services has just issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the following topic:

Risk factor assessment tools for musculoskeletal injuries
Deadline: July 31, 2020 at 4 p.m. PST

Researchers worldwide are invited to apply.

About WorkSafeBC’s Research Services

WorkSafeBC is dedicated to keeping workers and workplaces safe and secure from injury, illness, and disease. To achieve this vision, WorkSafeBC supports the best scientific evidence on issues concerning workplace health and safety through a competitive grant program. Grants address priorities set by the Board of Directors and contribute to: improving health and safety in B.C. workplaces; fostering successful rehabilitation and return to work; and ensuring fair compensation for injured workers.

For more information on our research programs, please visit worksafebc.com.

Source: Icbc.com

With fewer vehicles on our roads right now, drivers may be tempted to speed. Even though it seems safer with fewer cars on the road, it isn’t. Speeding increases your risk of crashing and reduces the amount of time you have to react to the unexpected. ICBC is asking that we all do our part to prevent crashes, keep people safe, and avoid putting additional pressure on B.C.’s first responders and medical resources.

Every year, 82 people are killed in speed-related crashes, making speed the number one cause of car crash fatalities in B.C.*

Police have observed an increase in drivers speeding since B.C. declared a state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is why ICBC, the B.C. government and police are launching a month-long campaign focusing on speed and urging drivers to slow down.

Speeding is a concern for all road users, not just drivers. Many families are taking this time to get outside for walks or bike rides so it’s important for drivers to be extra cautious and look out for pedestrians and cyclists.

The campaign includes radio and digital advertising plus social media reminding drivers that the faster you go, the easier it is to make a mistake. Remember, if you must go out, check your speed and drive within the limits.

Learn interesting facts, get tips and more on icbc.com.

Quotes:
Chief Officer Neil Dubord, Chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee
“While everyday life has recently changed for many in B.C., nothing has changed when it comes to road safety. Speed, distracted driving and impaired driving are just a few of the high-risk driving behaviours that put everyone at risk. With the use of intersection safety cameras and dedicated police agencies throughout the province, drivers are sure to be caught and held accountable when they make the choice to disregard the rules of the road.”

Lindsay Matthews, ICBC’s Vice-President Public Affairs and Driver Licensing
“Whether you’re a driver, rider, cyclist or pedestrian – we can all play our part over the coming months by only travelling when necessary, and taking extra care on every journey. Driving over the speed limit really doesn’t get you there noticeably sooner, and instead increases your chances of crashing.”

Regional statistics*:
– On average, 26 people are killed every year in the Lower Mainland from speed-related crashes.
– On average, 12 people are killed every year on Vancouver Island from speed-related crashes.
– On average, 27 people are killed every year in the Southern Interior from speed-related crashes.
– On average, 18 people are killed every year in North Central B.C from speed-related crashes.

*Police-reported data, five-year average from 2014 to 2018.

Speed includes unsafe speed, exceeding speed limit, excessive speed over 40km/h, and driving too fast for conditions.