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Idealease Safety Bulletin – Stay Safe, Stay Strong, and Stay the Course (April 17, 2020)

Read and share the latest Safety Bulletin, "Stay Safe, Stay Strong and Stay the Course", courtesy of Idealease Truck Leasing and Rental.

VIEW AND DOWNLOAD the full April 17th Edition and SIGN UP to receive these fleet safety tips directly to your email inbox!

In this issue find details on the following:

1. Stay Safe, Stay Strong and Stay the Course!

Continue to follow social distancing and sanitization guidelines that the CDC has recommended for us.
Thank you for what you do each and every day to keep the supply chain strong and unstoppable.

What can you do to stay safe, healthy and well? View most up-to-date info at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Research and understand the virus the best you can and how to avoid catching and spreading it.
Recognize warning signs and symptoms: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, chest pain. Do NOT go to work if you suspect you have been exposed or are infected.
Recognize other medical conditions that make certain individuals more susceptible and understand that 20% of cases require hospitalization, even though the majority are mild to moderate.
Learn how to properly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Carry hand sanitizer and gloves if necessary and know how to properly use and dispose.
Avoid touching your face as much as possible.
Maintain social distances - at least 6 feet from others. Avoid physical contact with others, avoid crowds and minimize visits to public places.
Conduct a thorough deep clean of your truck before you enter the cab. Pay attention to door handles, steering wheels, parking brakes, ELDs, turn signals, wipers and shift levers. Remember to thoroughly wash your hands after contact with objects in and outside the cab.
Pack your own snacks and lunches.
Understand that pick up and delivery procedures are changing frequently. Call for clarification if needed and be sure you understand how the receiving department might be working.
Be patient. This is a time where tensions and pressures can easily escalate. Try and remain calm.
Anticipate longer load and unload times.
Stay as informed as possible and think of ways and strategies to reduce your risk.

2. National Work Zone Awareness Week - April 20-24: Coming up next week! Be sure to use extra caution! Learn More: http://www.nwzaw.org/

3. CDC Issues Guidance for Critical Workers Who Might Have Been Exposed to COVID-19. READ IT HERE

Critical Infrastructure workers who have had an exposure but remain asymptomatic should adhere to the following practices prior to and during their work shift:

Pre-Screen: Employers should measure the employee’s temperature and assess symptoms prior to them starting work. Ideally, temperature checks should happen before the individual enters the facility.
Regular Monitoring: As long as the employee doesn’t have a temperature or symptoms, they should self-monitor under the supervision of their employer’s occupational health program.
Wear a Mask: The employee should wear a face mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure. Employers can issue facemasks or can approve employees’ supplied cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.
Social Distance: The employee should maintain 6 feet and practice social distancing as work duties permit in the workplace.
Disinfect and Clean workspaces: Clean and disinfect all areas such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment routinely.

If the employee becomes sick during the day, they should be sent home immediately. Surfaces in their workspace should be cleaned and disinfected. Information on persons who had contact with the ill employee during the time the employee had symptoms and 2 days prior to symptoms should be compiled. Others at the facility with close contact within 6 feet of the employee during this time would be considered exposed.

4. TSA Grants Extension for Drivers with Expired Hazardous Materials Endorsements

TSA stated it may be impracticable for some commercial drivers to renew their STAs during the current COVID-19 crisis. As a result, a temporary exemption is in effect until July 31, 2020. TSA may extend this exemption at a future date depending on the status of the pandemic crisis.
How does the exemption work?

States may grant an extension of up to 180 days for a qualified individual whose HME expired or would otherwise expire between March 1, 2020, and July 31, 2020. For purposes of this exemption, an eligible individual is defined as someone who held a valid, unexpired HME with an STA (Determination of No Security Threat) on or after March 1, 2020, and the endorsement expired or is due to expire in the date range of the exemption.

If the state grants an extension, the individual with an expired HME must initiate the process of renewing his or her STA for an HME no later than 60 days before the end of the state-granted extension. TSA needs at least 60 days to process an individual's application for STA renewal once it is submitted. Drivers with an HME should confirm state-specifics concerning any extensions.

TSA will continue to recurrently vet drivers with expired HMEs against federal terrorism and national security-related watch lists and databases during the period of the extensions and retain its full authority to immediately revoke or suspend an individual's STA and to order a state to revoke an individual's HME.