For many the workplace isn’t in one location and you have to travel as part of your daily role, so if you’re on the road attending different premises and meeting new people, what are 5 key steps to take to keep safe:
- Your cab, car/van is your safe place, no-one else should be sharing this space with you unless you live in the same household.
- Before starting your journey, before touching your seatbelt and the steering wheel wash your hands, it is handy to keep a small hand gel on your person or in the door pocket.
- When arriving at your destination if delivering a parcel put gloves on to unload the package and to hand it over to the recipient. Once you then leave the premises dispose of the gloves before heading back to your vehicle. If you are unable to purchase some nitrile gloves then use the same material pair, but in order to limit cross contamination ensure you take them on and off outside of your vehicle, keep them in your pocket. If you are attending a premises for a visit or meeting gloves aren’t as necessary, but if you push/hold a door to make entrance into the building it is advised you then wash your hands before going any further. (Masks may be required depending on where you’re going, it is worth checking with the business you’re attending before making the journey.)
- When out of your vehicle you must ensure that you make no contact with any other person, if you do so by accident don’t touch your face and wash your hands as soon as you can. You must also limit the amount of contact made with any surfaces, if you are setting up your laptop etc at a workstation, wipe and clean the surface first. The same when you leave, wipe the surface down and wipe any devices used too.
- Whilst on the road it is inevitable that at some point you’re going to need to need a toilet / refreshment break. The same as when entering a new premises the biggest thing to be mindful of is hygiene. Keep them hands clean and limit the surfaces you have contact with. When using public restrooms, ensure you make use of the sinks and wash your hand thoroughly. As always once leaving and heading back to your vehicle, use some hand sanitiser to clean your hands again before touching the steering wheel and starting your journey.
Top Tip: As an employer your colleagues wellbeing is extremely important, so why not provide each company vehicle with a safety pack consisting of: hand gel, Antibacterial cleaner and wipes, as well as providing the relevant PPE required for the business you’re in (gloves etc).