At Highway Transport we’re doing our best to keep everyone informed about what we are doing as a company to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Things can change quickly, but 72+ years of continuous service shows the strength of our company through trying times.
Taking Steps to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
Highway Transport performs a critical function in society…trucking. We are not just a transportation company; we are the lifeblood of our nation’s supply chain and economy. By moving goods throughout the U.S., we ensure, among many things, that sanitization materials are available, and we ensure that Americans continue to be able to produce and earn paychecks to take care of our families. In this time of uncertainty, it is important to know we are doing the right thing the right way.
Here are a few examples of what we are doing to help our team:
- We are constantly monitoring and working with regulatory authorities to keep everyone compliant and safe. Chemicals and transportation have been deemed critical infrastructure and essential activities and activity is required to continue.
- Highway management is having multiple daily status calls about the health of our team and to ensure that everyone has supplies they need to do their job safely and stay healthy.
- We have full supplies of diesel and DEF available at four locations along with sanitation supplies such as sanitizing gel, sprays or wipes. Our facilities are being cleaned at regular intervals.
Marshall Franklin, President & CFO
Highway Transport wants to assure everyone that we are monitoring the situation. Our focus remains on the health and welfare of our workers and customers.
Face Masks
There has been a lot of information in the news about face masks, and until recently, face masks were not recommended by CDC for general use. The CDC advises that If you must go out into a public space, cover your mouth and nose. For most people, a bandanna or a cloth mask would be a good step. Medical workers need N95 surgical masks, and those are in short supply. The best uses for medical face masks, as identified by CDC, are for those who are sick to avoid spreading to others and by health workers and caregivers who are taking care of someone in a close setting.
Face Coverings
When masks are hard to find, a fabric face covering might be helpful. Highway Transport tanker truck driver Alen shares his face covering tip and cleaning process. Here is a video of Highway’s own Alen Smailovic giving helpful tips to truck drivers about face covering.
From the Road: Signs of Hope
“No matter how bad or how lonely we may feel, just remember…WE ARE NOT ALONE,” says Highway Transport driver Juan Ortiz. This once-in-a-lifetime rainbow of hope appeared on U.S. 287, outside of Boise City, Oklahoma when he was headed to make a delivery at Anheuser-Busch in Fort Collins, Colorado. Ortiz follows the strictly enforced policy to not use his mobile device while behind the wheel. So, he parked his truck, and took a moment to capture this stunning full rainbow. “It was in the middle of nowhere, and in all my 30+ years of driving, I’ve never seen a full rainbow like this with all the colors so sharp. I had been feeling down during COVID-19 with reports of so many people dying. Daily reports of the death toll; it has been such a sad time. When at home with my wife, I would feel tired, but my sleep would be restless yet tired at the same time. I think everyone is experiencing some of these same emotions. Then it came time for me to head back out on the road, and this happened. It lifted my spirits, and I wanted to share it as an inspiring message.”
Highway Transport tanker truck drivers get to experience the great USA from a perspective that most people will never know or understand. Highway Transport uses social channels for good, whether it is to showcase beautiful pictures or share a positive message with the world. Drivers follow the strict policy to stay back and away from the tanker unit when it is OK to take a picture.
“No matter how bad or how lonely we may feel, just remember…WE ARE NOT ALONE” is Juan’s caption to the rainbow scene. Juan is a regional driver for Highway Transport out of Garland, Texas.
COVID-19 Monitoring
Some Highway Transport office staff have been working from home since mid-March obeying the guidance of “Safer at Home” in communities surrounding each service center location. The goal is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of each community while allowing core operations to continue.
Highway Transport Safety and HR departments are monitoring information from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to help us respond properly.
It is important to address each of our markets nationwide. Highway Transport will adjust business operations and travel as needed. Safety is our priority at every Highway Transport location nationwide.
You’ve heard the term “coronavirus” used a lot . Coronaviruses are a type of virus. There are many of them and they are common. COVID-19 is the name given to the disease caused by the new coronavirus that appeared recently in China. Because COVID-19 is new, you might be hearing information that is confusing or conflicting.
Here’s what we know:
The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the flu with fever, coughing and shortness of breath. It appears to mainly be spread through close person-to-person contact. It may be possible for someone to touch a surface or object with the virus on it and then touch their nose or mouth and become infected, but this is not the main way the virus spreads, according to CDC and other health experts.
In addition to the things you do to stay healthy, additional measures for the COVID-19 are the same you take for the flu or other viruses, according to CDC.
Here’s What You Can Do
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
– Stay home when you are sick.
– Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
We’ll continue to share information as it becomes available and do our best to keep you informed about what we are doing as a company and how best to prevent the spread of the virus.
Rick Lusby, Vice President of Safety
Additional Info
- CDC Updates: Coronavirus (COVID-19) The CDC has created a tool for monitoring the activity in your area to help you know if you are more at risk. This useful tracker shows state-specific statistics to help you stay on top of the outbreak. CDC Map Site.
- In-depth info graphic about hand washing…
Protect all truck drivers making deliveries during a difficult time for our country.
Highway Transport Geismar
Highway Transport’s new service center in Geismar, Louisiana is in the final phase of construction. Click over to our story about this major tanker trucking hub in the Gulf Coast region. Are you a truck driver interested in working for our company? Click over to our recruiting site Drive4Highway.com.