May 2020

What Truckers Need to Know About COVID-19

New CDC Resources for Long-Haul Truckers

The Centers for Disease Control has extended a helping hand to workers all around the world who need to prevent becoming infected or spreading infection of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Earlier this week, the CDC released an article titled “What Long-Haul Truck Drivers Need to Know about COVID-19,” which lays out all of the best practices for truckers that are still at work during the pandemic.

Truck Drivers and the Risk of Infection

The CDC notes that many truckers might not believe themselves at particularly high risk of infection, but according to them, that might not always be the case. “As a long-haul truck driver, you spend many hours alone in the cab of your truck,” the article says. “However, there are times when you will be at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. For long-haul truck drivers, potential sources of exposure include coming in close contact with truck stop attendants, store workers, dock workers, other truck drivers, or others with COVID-19, and touching your nose, mouth or eyes after contacting surfaces touched or handled by a person with COVID-19.”

70 percent of America’s freight travels by semi-truck, which means that it takes a lot of truckers on the job to keep things moving. President Trump acknowledged the 3.5 million truck drivers in America that have stayed on the job during this difficult time. “In the war against the virus, America’s truckers are really the foot soldiers that are carrying us to victory,” President Trump said during an event honoring truckers at the White House last month. “Truckers are playing a critical role in vanquishing the virus, and they will be just as important as we work to get our economic engine roaring.”

There’s a strong psychological element present in practicing good health habits in regards to the virus as well, which is why the CDC article is such a valuable resource in remembering how and why everyone has to make sacrifices to keep others safe. In an article with the Los Angeles Times, one driver said, “We would like to just go in and sit down and take a break, have a meal. For a lot of drivers, it’s a way to unwind,” that the current state of trucking has “a lot of drivers wound up.” With so many restaurants offering carry-out only, and truckers working extra long hours to keep the country supplied, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance on the road right now, making extra support from government agencies especially valuable.

Key Takeaways From the CDC for Drivers

The CDC has indicated when truck drivers need to be the most careful when they’re on the road. Among their recommendations for truck drivers are that you notify your employer and stay home if you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, making a plan with your employer and family as to what could happen if you get sick on the road, and how to limit time spent outside the cab in general.

One important resource according to the article, is to use paperless methods for billing and invoicing for fueling, deliveries, and anywhere else possible, to reduce the likelihood that the virus could spread as a result of close contact with other people.

How Employers Can Help Truckers, According to the CDC

A survey and analysis conducted by the driver feedback platform WorkHound found that 27% of drivers wanted to be assured that their companies were taking “extra precautions to ensure that their equipment is safe and sanitized,” and according to the CDC, that’s just the start of how employers should be supporting the workers on the front lines currently. The CDC article mentions that some drivers might be at higher risk for serious illness than others, such as older adults and those with chronic medical conditions. Treating these workers with extra care to ensure that they minimize face-to-face contact can go a long way to prevent these especially susceptible drivers from becoming infected. It’s also critical for employers to help train drivers on proper handwashing practices and other preventative measures that help prevent the spread of many diseases, including COVID-19.

“Consider drafting non-punitive emergency sick leave policies if sick leave is not offered to some or all employees,” the guidelines say. “Employers should not require a positive COVID-19 test result or a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick to validate their illness, qualify for sick leave, or to return to work.”

For those who are currently still at work, it’s especially important to stay up to date on the best practices for minimizing the chance of exposure to COVID-19. If you need help staying on the road, contact us at Mission Financial. With us, you can have more control over your work environment.

The Importance of Innovative Technology During the Pandemic

Why Truckers Needs Digital Tools Now More Than Ever

Whether you’re a semi-truck owner/operator currently helping to move supplies in America or a logistics expert managing a fleet of trucks, it’s important to be aware of the technology that’s available to help freight workers manage shipments all across the country. The American supply chain has continually undergone changes in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, and it’s become increasingly important for truckers to rely on digital tools to get their jobs done.

The Latest Uber Freight Update

First-come-first-serve freelance trucking software has been on the rise for months now. The most notable of which, Uber Freight, has been positively impacting independent owner/operators’ ability to find shipments that chain efficiently together. It’s not always the case that a trucker’s destination will have a profitable pickup destination nearby, and the use of digital freelancing tools has been a huge factor in making sure that independent owner/operators can maintain profits while supply chains have been so severely disrupted across the country. Uber Freight in particular has updated their software infrastructure to allow for truckers to get better access to the jobs that are available.

As of last April, Uber Freight has begun to use a bidding system on its load app, that gives drivers more options. “It’s vital that carriers and drivers have access to loads with transparent pricing so they can make fast, informed decisions about their business,” the company said in the blog post that announced the upgrade. “That has never been more apparent than it is today, with the freight market in flux and drivers and carriers in our network working around the clock to keep shelves stocked and the country moving forward.”

Uber Freight said that truckers and motor carriers can now submit bids and receive feedback on select loads directly in the app, and then get notified later if they won or lost the bid. If the bid is won, the load will be temporarily reserved at the winning price. In addition, “all the loads Uber offers will still have an instant ‘book now’ price for those who find it’s still in their best interest to lock in a load. As a complement to our dynamic pricing engine, and by automating and streamlining the traditional bidding process, Uber Freight’s in-app bidding aims to improve functionality for the entire freight marketplace,” the company said. For truckers on the app, and suppliers everywhere, this should be a significant step in leveling out supply versus demand supply chains.

Other Mobile Apps Impacting Owner Operators

There are plenty of smartphone apps available to the general public that can make a big impact on the ability to avoid infection and keep up to date with the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the best include the CDC Mobile App, which can help anyone stay informed on best practices to avoid infection, and how our understanding of the virus continues to improve over time. There have been plenty of trucker-friendly apps available for years however, and now is a better time than ever to make sure you’re using all of the best tools available that can help you while you drive your truck during the pandemic.

One of our favorites is Overdrive, which includes the weather forecast and can help you locate rest stops. It also gives you access to Overdrive online magazine, an integrated message board and an integrated load tracker. Our second favorite tool is the Weigh My Truck App, which keeps you from having to walk into weigh stations to pay down your truck load. The Weigh My Truck App was built to work with CAT Scales and allows you to weigh your truck and pay your weight with your smartphone at the scale, without needing to leave your truck. In times like these, avoiding delays and hazards can be crucial for ensuring that you get to your next load on time, and it makes sense to see what tools the app stores have to offer you.

Platooning Technology

The last bit of trucking tech worth talking about is platooning. “Improved driving systems can now allow for trucking rigs to arrange into formations. These formations are controlled by complex computing systems that communicate with one another, allowing trucks to follow closely behind other trucks in their fleet. The end result makes for a long line of heavy vehicles heading in the same direction, one after the next,” says Transmetrics.

This method can be a powerful cost-saver when it comes to emissions and fuel consumption. The platoon of trucks that’s created works to fight against wind resistance and traffic jams. The resultant file of large vehicles creates stability in traffic, allowing for other vehicles to navigate around them smoothly. Platoon technology can result in “fuel savings of 4.5% for the lead truck, and 10% for the following truck,” as shown by Peloton. It might be time to investigate whether platooning could improve your ROI.

Make sure to follow our blog for more updates on the freight industry, and contact us if you’re looking for a financial lender you can trust.

Month: May 2020