Fleet Maintenance - 8

UPTIME

The responsibilities of
being an essential business
What it means for the trucking industry to be on the
front lines in the face of the current pandemic.

By Erica
Schueller
Editorial
Director

@CV_ESchueller

In light of the abrupt and drastic changes
caused by the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, we
have all faced a number of challenges both at home
and at work. Through it all, the trucking industry
has continued to power the U.S. economy.
Maintenance facilities, by virtue of their responsibilities to ensure fleet vehicles stay running, are
considered essential businesses. The service and
repair of vehicles, and the assurance that preventive maintenance continues to be completed in
order to avoid vehicle downtime, would not be
possible without an open maintenance facility.

The impact

While being an essential business during the time
of a national crisis means an operation continues
to run, it does not do so without changes in the
day-to-day processes.
With additional potential risks of COVID-19 exposure to essential employees, many fleets have taken
additional steps to limit the exposure and adhere to
social distancing guidelines. Things like staggered
lunch shifts and breaks are being practiced, as well
as introducing alternative methods to limit physical
contact like foregoing handshakes and not sharing
writing utensils. Some maintenance operations have
even opted to create more distance between working
employees by keeping alternating bays empty. All
of these practices have placed added steps to the
entire maintenance process.
That's not to mention the additional cleaning and
disinfecting necessary to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Some fleets have created hygiene
kits for drivers, whileothers have set up additional
hand sanitizer kiosks throughout the building.
Part of the challenge is the general shared areas
of not only the shop, but inside the truck cab.
A Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC)
task force within the S.4 Cab & Control study
group expedited the finalization of an update
to RP 443 In-Cab Cleaning and Deodorizing
Guidelines in order to provide steps to clean and
disinfect truck cabs. The updated RP was already
in development as an alternative method to
mitigating bed bug infestations, but it had been
discovered the processes being explored for this
alternative method, using chlorine dioxide, also
help to safely and effectively sanitize and disinfect
the truck cab. This means the process can also be
employed to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
To read more about the development of the updated RP to clean and disinfect truck cabs, head to
VehicleServicePros.com/21131730.

8 Fleet Maintenance | April 2020

Speaking of TMC, the organization also
conducted a survey in late March to understand
members' concerns and the anticipated impact
the coronavirus may have on maintenance operations. Nearly half of respondents (48 percent) indicated they already had an operational disaster
mitigation plan in place, per directives outlined
in TMC's Recommended Practice (RP) Disaster
Recovery for Vehicle Maintenance Operations
- which presumably was enacted in response to
the pandemic.
This survey specifically addressed the staff
preparation and the potential impact on the
supply chain for shop supplies, like gloves and
uniforms, as well as fluids such as fuel and
lubricants. Respondents indicated that they
had seen no impact, or a minor impact, on these
shop supplies currently. Respondents indicated, however, that they do anticipate the impact
could become more moderate through the month
of April.
The main issue - pandemic or not - has been
the recruitment and hiring of technicians.
Respondents noted this pressing industry challenge may be compounded due to the national
response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
TMC plans to conduct a follow-up survey
in April.

Looking to the future

The resilience of our industry has proven itself time
and again, whether that's through challenges such
as the 2008 recession, or the impact on the economy after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Situations like these can have a direct impact on
the economy, which also has a direct impact on
our industry. The challenges will always be there,
but it's how we face them and the attitude we keep
that can make the difference on how we come out
on the other side of this.
Know that our editorial staff is working hard to
ensure information gets to you. We will continue
to provide updates on how the COVID-19 pandemic
has been directly impacting the trucking industry. Be sure to check back for updates regularly at
VehicleServicePros.com/covid-19.
I am always interested to hear how events like
this, as well as any other challenges (and successes)
may be directly impacting your fleet. As you take
notes to reflect on how your business has dealt with
these current events, I'd like to know how you're
facing the change. I look forward to continuing the
conversation with each of you.

Fleet Maintenance
promotes David
Brierley to editor
I am very
excited to
announce that
David Brierley
has been
promoted to
editor of Fleet
Maintenance.
He brings 10
years of professional publishing experience to this
role. Most recently he has
served as managing editor for
the Endeavor Vehicle Repair
Group, which includes Fleet
Maintenance. He has a proven
passion for this industry, and
I have no doubt he will excel
in this new position. I look
forward to working with him
to continue to drive the development of useful and engaging
content for our readers.

http://www.instagram.com/CV_ESchueller http://www.twitter.com/CV_ESchueller http://www.VehicleServicePros.com/covid-19 http://www.VehicleServicePros.com/21131730

Fleet Maintenance

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