Vehicles
3. Social distancing at work
In this section

3.1 Coming to work and leaving work
3.2 Moving around buildings, worksites and destinations
3.3 Social distancing in vehicles
3.4 Carrying out deliveries or collections
3.5 Accidents, security and other incidents

Objective: To maintain 2m social distancing wherever possible, including while
arriving at and departing from work, while in work, and when travelling
between sites.
It will not always be possible to keep a distance of 2m inside vehicles. Many
in-vehicle tasks need more than one person, for example heavy deliveries or
refuse collection, and changing vehicle configurations to create more space
may not be practical.
Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full in relation
to a particular activity, businesses should consider whether that activity
needs to continue for the business to operate, and, if so, take all the
mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission between their
staff.
Mitigating actions include:

further increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning
keeping the activity time involved as short as possible
using screens or barriers to separate people from each other
using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible
reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using ‘fixed teams or partnering’ (so each person works with only a few others)

Social distancing applies to all parts of a business, not just the vehicle,
but also depots or break rooms and anywhere drivers congregate outside of the
vehicle. These are often the most challenging areas to maintain social
distancing.
3.1 Coming to work and leaving work
Objective: To maintain social distancing wherever possible, including on
arrival and departure, and to ensure handwashing upon arrival.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Staggering arrival and departure times at work to reduce crowding into and out of the workplace, taking account of the impact on those with protected characteristics.


Providing additional parking or facilities such as bike-racks to help people walk, run or cycle to work where possible.


Limiting passengers in corporate vehicles, for example, work minibuses. This could include leaving seats empty.


Assigning fixed groups of workers to the same transportation routes where sole travel is not possible.


3.2 Moving around buildings, worksites and destinations
Objective: To maintain social distancing while people travel through the
workplace.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Where possible reducing the number of workers at base depots or distribution centres at a given time based on minimum operational safety requirements.


Scheduling times for the collection of goods to avoid over-crowding.


Picking goods ahead of collection and loading onto vehicles without interacting with the driver.


Reducing job and location rotation.


Finding alternative solutions to 2-person delivery. This could include delaying delivery of large items or using an alternative method, for example, mechanical / material handling equipment. Where these are not possible maintain fixed pairing for 2-person deliveries and minimise physical contact.


3.3 Social distancing in vehicles
Objective: To maintain social distancing wherever possible between individuals
when in vehicles:

avoid multiple occupancy vehicles where safe to do so
vehicles should not be shared if possible
if it is not possible to keep a 2m distance in a vehicle, consider additional safety measures

Steps that will usually be needed:

Devising mitigation measures where workers have no alternative but to work within 2m to minimise the risk of transmission, including:   

– clear signage to outline social distancing measures in place
– single person or contactless refuelling where possible
– using physical screening, provided this does not compromise safety, for
example, through reducing visibility
– sitting side-by-side not face-to-face and increasing ventilation where
possible


Using a fixed pairing system if people have to work in close proximity, for example in a vehicle.


Making sure vehicles are well-ventilated to increase the flow of air, for example, by opening a window.


Ensure regular cleaning of vehicles, in particular between different users.


3.4 Carrying out deliveries or collections
Objective: To maintain social distancing and avoid surface transmission when
goods enter and leave the vehicle, especially in high volume situations, for
example distribution centres, despatch areas.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Scheduling to limit exposure to large crowds and rush hours where appropriate.


Revising pick-up and drop-off collection points and procedures with signage and marking.


Where possible and safe having single workers load or unload vehicles.


Minimising unnecessary contact at gatehouse security, yard and warehouse. For example, non-contact deliveries where the nature of the product allows for use of electronic pre-booking.


Maximising use of electronic paperwork where possible, and reviewing procedures to enable safe exchange of paper copies where needed, for example, required transport documents.


Enabling drivers to access welfare facilities when required and consistent with other guidance.


Encouraging drivers to stay in their vehicles where this does not compromise their safety and existing safe working practice.


3.5 Accidents, security and other incidents
Objective: To prioritise safety during incidents.
Steps that will usually be needed:


In an emergency, for example, an accident, fire, or break-in, people do not have to stay 2m apart if it would be unsafe.


People involved in the provision of assistance to others should pay particular attention to sanitation measures immediately afterwards, including washing hands.