– By Marc Sibbald –
Fleet Managers need to rethink what a safe workplace means in the current COVID-19 pandemic because a five star ANCAP rating won’t keep your employees safe from the virus that is paralysing industries across the globe.
Farid Mirmohseni, Head of Growth & Product, at Wipehero believes Fleet Managers need to consider how the virus will impact the cleanliness of vehicles used by multiple drivers if one of them has been has been infected.
“As you know, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognised hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm, under which COVID-19 would fall.” says Mirmohseni. “For many employees, the company vehicle is their workplace.”
Fleetcare, Australia’s largest independent fleet management and leasing company, prepared some guidelines for customers and the public to help in reducing the potential spread of disease, including coronavirus COVID-19 within vehicles using advice from the Australian Government Department of Health.
The Fleetcare release suggests the following measures should be observed to prevent the transmission of disease, particularly in pool and passenger vehicles with multiple occupants.
- Disinfectant Wipes: Regularly wipe down all commonly touched surfaces such as the steering wheel, door handles, gear stick, window opening mechanisms and indicators.
- Disinfectant Spray: (Like the one used by Wipehero) Commercial sprays such as Clorox* and Lysol*, approved fresh bleach solutions and concentrates can be applied and left to dry on surfaces such as door cards, trays etc. Be sure to follow all dilution instructions to avoid interior damage.
- Disinfectant Surface Spray: Use a surface spray such as Glen 20* to spray on fabric seats to disinfect and remove unwanted smells.
- Hand Sanitiser: This does not replace handwashing but is effective in reducing risk, especially where hand washing is not possible. Encourage all occupants of the vehicle to apply hand sanitiser prior to entering and regularly during vehicle travel.
- Handwashing: All occupants of the vehicle should be encouraged to observe the recommended handwashing protocols
- Hot water and soap for 20 seconds, palm to palm, in between fingers, focus on thumbs, back of hands and rinse
- Dry with single use paper towel or hand dryer
Wipehero currently provides service to over 100 fleet clients nationwide, including Jemena, Sydney Water and Sydney Airport, as their trusted partner for workplace health and safety every single day.
*Please obtain and follow all appropriate instructions and Material Safety Data Sheets
