The Nation

DALLAS — Barnhart Transportation and ShipSmith have partnered with Richard Rawlings and the Gas Monkey Foundation to provide 13 truckloads of Gas Monkey Energy Drink to COVID-19 first responders and health care workers across the country. Richard Rawlings put out a request for trucks on Instagram, seeking assistance in getting his product to health care workers in COVID-19 hotspots. Jeff ‘Smitty’ Smith, owner of Charleston, South Carolina-based ShipSmith, responded and knew how to make it happen. “Everyone is looking for ways to help during this crisis, and this was the perfect opportunity to reach out to Barnhart to make it happen,” said Smith. “I’ve been a huge fan of Richard Rawlings and his show ‘Fast N’ Loud’ for years, and really admire his philanthropy work.” Barnhart Transportation is donating its trucks, fuel and drivers to the effort to get all 13 truckloads to the hardest-hit areas of the country. “When the opportunity was presented to us, we jumped at the chance to do our part to help first responders and front-line workers,” said, Bryan Barnhart, president of Barnhart Transportation. “We’re incredibly grateful to Richard Rawlings and his organization.”

Harrisburg, Penn. — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has reopened indoor facilities at three additional rest areas statewide. PennDOT’s rest areas were temporarily closed statewide on March 17 in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s mitigation guidance regarding COVID-19 to ensure that proper safety and sanitation protocols were in place. Many rest areas across Pennsylvania have since reopened. Additional cleaning and maintenance will be performed at all reopened locations. Tourism services are not available at this time. The following locations reopened May 11: Interstate 80 eastbound in Columbia County, 3.5 miles east of Exit 242; Interstate 80 westbound in Columbia County, 10 miles west of Exit 256; and Interstate 70 westbound in Fulton County, 1 mile west of the Maryland state. These rest areas were previously reopened and remain open for travelers: Interstate 79 northbound in Allegheny County, 8 miles north of Exit 45; Interstate 79 northbound in Crawford County, 8 miles north of Exit 154; Interstate 79 southbound in Crawford County, 3 miles south of Exit 166; Interstate 79 northbound in Greene County, 5 miles north of Exit 1; Interstate 79 northbound in Lawrence County, 3.5 miles north of Exit 105; Interstate 79 southbound in Lawrence County, 3.5 miles south of Exit 113; Interstate 79 northbound in Mercer County, 5 miles south of Exit 141; Interstate 79 southbound in Mercer County, 6 miles north of Exit 130; Interstate 80 eastbound in Centre County, 13 miles east of Exit 133; Interstate 80 westbound in Centre County, .5 miles west of Exit 147; Interstate 80 eastbound in Jefferson County, 1 mile east of Exit 86; Interstate 80 westbound in Jefferson County, 10 miles west of Exit 97; Interstate 80 eastbound in Luzerne County, 8.5 miles east of Exit 262; Interstate 80 eastbound in Monroe County, 1 mile east of I-80/I-380; Interstate 80 eastbound in Montour County, 4.5 miles east of Exit 215; Interstate 80 westbound in Montour County, 4.5 miles west of Exit 224; Interstate 80 eastbound in Venango County, .5 miles east of Exit 29; Interstate 80 westbound in Venango County, 4 miles west of Exit 35; Interstate 81 northbound in Cumberland County, .5 miles north of Exit 37; Interstate 81 southbound in Cumberland County, 5.5 miles south of Exit 44; Interstate 81 northbound in Lackawanna County, .5 miles north of Exit 202; Interstate 81 northbound in Luzerne County, 1.5 miles north of Exit 155; Interstate 81 southbound in Luzerne County, 1.5 miles south of Exit 159; Interstate 81 southbound in Susquehanna County, 4 miles south of Exit 211; Interstate 83 northbound in York County, 2.5 miles north of the Maryland state line; Interstate 84 eastbound in Pike County, 6 miles east of Exit 20; Interstate 84 westbound in Pike County, 1 mile west of Exit 26; Interstate 70 eastbound in Washington County, 3.5 miles east of Exit 1; Interstate 81 northbound in Franklin County, 1 mile north of the Maryland state line; Interstate 81 southbound in Susquehanna County, .5 miles south of the New York state line; Interstate 90 westbound in Erie County, .5 miles west of the New York state line; and S. 15 southbound in Tioga County, 7 miles south of the New York state line. PennDOT will continue to evaluate and will determine whether additional locations can be reopened.

ARLINGTON, Va. — American Trucking Associations, along with OneBeacon, U.S. Bank, Michelin and Hydro-Chem Systems, announced May 11 that the organizations are working together to provide hand-sanitizer stations, along with meals for professional truck drivers, through a new initiative: “Providing for the Frontlines.” In addition to celebrating the unsung heroes in the trucking industry who continue to deliver America’s goods through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative aims to provide relief to the hard-working men and women who spend their days and nights behind the wheel. “OneBeacon Insurance is proud of truckers and their unwavering determination to continue to deliver much-needed goods and services during COVID-19,” said Lori A. Cernera, president of OneBeacon’s Accident and Health group. “In their honor, we are excited to be able to sponsor a program that provides drivers with hand sanitizer and gift cards for meals during this difficult time.” OneBeacon, a platinum sponsor of the initiative, has created a Highway Heroes video to honor and thank professional truck drivers. ATA’s Providing for the Frontline initiative also features a photo contest to showcase drivers and their rigs. Drivers are encouraged to submit fun photo of themselves and their rigs. Once submitted, the photos will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a $25 electronic gift card for a meal of their choice while on the road. Multiple gift-card winners will be selected daily. To enter the photo contest or view the daily winners, visit www.trucking.org/thankatrucker. Members of the industry are also encouraged to use the #thankatrucker hashtag on social media. “Throughout this crisis, professional truck drivers have been there, delivering for all of us,” said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “They have delivered to hospitals, markets and homes, keeping our nation moving forward. It is unfortunate that it took a global pandemic for these heroes to get the recognition they so richly deserve, but we are pleased to see them receive it now, and we’re proud to have this opportunity recognize them as the heroes they are.”

The Truckload Carriers Association awards about 50 scholarships to students each year to students who have a family connection to TCA. One past recipient of one of the top scholarships is Blake Quinn of Springfield Missouri, who is a student at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. His dad works for Prime Inc., and Quinn is studying supply management. “As I progress through my college career, I am made increasingly more aware of the impact the trucking industry has had (and continues to have) on my family life,” Quinn said in a press release from TCA. “As a supply-chain major, I am gradually learning more and more about the industry my dad climbed the ladder in to provide for my family.” Andrea Vidaurre of Indianapolis is a student at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Her mother works for WEX EFS. “I have always respected my mother’s work ethic and learned early on to follow in her footsteps, whether it be my schoolwork, basketball or my own job,” said Vidaurre. “After college, I look forward to beginning my career in accounting or finance with the same passion and drive as my mother has for an industry that has played such an important part in our lives.” Marli Hall, TCA’s senior director of outreach and engagement, said the scholarship fund is an independent organization governed by the bylaws and the board of trustees, which is always actively recruiting to be a part of the fund. “If there are TCA members who are interested in helping advance TCA’s successful scholarship program, we encourage them to share their interest in becoming a TCA Scholarship Fund Trustee,” Hall said. “The trustees help fundraise and judge the application submissions.” Hall said TCA, which was founded in 1938, is the only trade association whose sole focus is the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. TCA’s scholarship program includes seven larger scholarships named after significant contributors to the fund. To have a scholarship named in their honor, donors must give $50,000 for that scholarship, or at least $10,000 over the course of five years. Students receive up to $6,250 for the full year, split between the two semesters. The application process begins in early March through an online application. To qualify for any of the scholarships, a student must be in good standing, with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, and attending an accredited four-year college as an undergraduate. The student must also be a child, grandchild or spouse of either an employee of a TCA member or an independent contractor affiliated with a TCA member. “We try to be as transparent as possible,” Hall said. “This is what you need to have to be eligible and the qualifications considered. We also share when the winners are posted.” Hall said the application process includes submitting headshots, school transcripts and a course schedule. Hall said TCA is up front with what is needed before prospective recipients “dive into an application.” “We’ve got some guidelines for the judges — a framework — but for the most part, it is up to their discretion,” Hall said. “They judge (the applicants) on their workload, such as are they taking 12 credit hours or 21, or are they in honors classes, and they take (the students’) extracurricular activities into account.” She said even if a student does not have a 3.0 GPA, but is close, perhaps with a 2.8, he or she is still encouraged to apply because the judges will take into account factors such as extracurricular activities or a student working to pay for classes. The scholarships are funded by members of the trucking community. Hall said anyone who wants to give to the program can, and that “there are lots of different avenues to do so.” “We are working on a campaign, which has been placed on the back burner for now,” Hall said. “Once the economy picks back up and starts to improve, we will reach out for funds. In the past, one of the largest ways we generated funds was through a scholarship gala.” Hall said the gala, which was held annually until 2018, raised about $90,000 each year, adding that some years the event brought in closer to $200,000. She said the gala was held in conjunction with the annual convention and would usually host about 400 people. For more information, visit www.truckload.org. For questions about the program, Hall can be reached at [email protected].

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published an article to help over-the-road truck drivers stay healthy and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The article, titled “What Long-haul Truck Drivers Need to Know about COVID-19,” appears below. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms often include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell. Our understanding of how the virus spreads is evolving as we learn more about it, so check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 prevention page for the latest information. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person: Between people who are in close contact with one another (about 6 feet), and Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Recent studies indicate that the virus can be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. As a long-haul truck driver, how can I protect myself and slow the spread? As a long-haul truck driver, you spend many hours alone in the cab of your truck. However, there are times when you will be at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. For long-haul truck drivers, potential sources of exposure include having close contact with truck stop attendants, store workers, dock workers, other truck drivers or others with COVID-19, and touching your nose, mouth or eyes after contacting surfaces touched or handled by a person with COVID-19. Notify your supervisor and stay home if having symptoms. Make a plan with your employer and your family as to what to do if you become sick while you’re on the road. Include where to stop, where and how to seek medical advice and treatment, and plans for freight delivery. Follow CDC-recommended steps if you are sick. You should not return to work until the criteria to discontinue home isolation are met, in consultation with health care providers and state and local health departments. Follow CDC recommended precautions and notify your supervisor if you are well but have a sick family member at home with COVID-19. Limit close contact with others by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet when possible. Limit time spent outside of the truck cab during fueling, loading and unloading, and at rest and truck stops. Use paperless electronic invoicing for fueling, deliveries and other tasks, when available. Contact facilities in advance to make an appointment for unloading of cargo. Be aware that some facilities may not grant access to restrooms, and plan as best you can. Use radio/phone to talk with dock managers or other drivers, if possible. Pack food, water and supplies to limit the number of stops. Avoid shaking hands. Keep your truck well ventilated. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social-distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Cloth face coverings may prevent people who don’t know they have the virus from transmitting it to others. These face coverings are not surgical masks or respirators and are not appropriate substitutes for them in workplaces where masks or respirators are recommended or required. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on a routine basis such as: In the truck cab (driver-door handle, steering wheel, seat belt and buckle, arm and head rests, seat cover, turn signal, wiper controls, dashboard, air ducts, radio, and temperature controls). In the sleeper berth (light switches, mattress tray, temperature controls and other flat surfaces). If a third party must have access to the interior of your truck (for example mechanics, other drivers, inspectors), request that the third party clean and disinfect the truck before turning it back over to you. For disinfection, use products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, diluted household bleach solutions or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and are appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s directions for use, and clean hands afterwards. More detailed cleaning and disinfecting guidance is also available here. Practice proper hand hygiene. This is an important infection-control measure. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Key times to clean hands include: Before entering and leaving the cab, including deliveries, loading and unloading of cargo, rest breaks, fueling and other activities; Before eating or preparing food; After putting on, touching or removing cloth face coverings; After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; and After using the restroom. Avoid touching surfaces that are often touched by others when outside of the cab. Do not share personal protective equipment (PPE) such as vests, safety glasses, hard hats; tools; phones; radios; or other personal items. Use prequalified truck stops or hotels identified by your employer as having appropriate COVID-19 protections. Continue to comply with current Federal Motor Carrier Safety (FMCSA) regulations. Get adequate sleep (7 to 9 hours) prior to driving. This is critical even when essential supplies and equipment are being transported. Pull over, drink a cup of coffee or take a 15- to 30-minute nap before continuing if you feel fatigued while driving. When team driving or ride-alongs are required, wear cloth face coverings inside the truck, and avoid sharing bedding in the sleeper berth. If any directive from your employer or a shipper is unclear, ask questions. What steps should my employer take? Employers should have a COVID-19 response plan to protect drivers, following CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers. This plan should be shared with you and your coworkers. Employers should: Reduce transmission among employees. Take steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if a driver is sick. Actively encourage sick drivers to stay home. Sick drivers diagnosed with COVID-19 shouldn’t return to work until the criteria to discontinue home isolation are met, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments. Provide drivers with accurate information about COVID-19, how it spreads, and risk of exposure. Be aware that some drivers may be at higher risk for serious illness, such as older adults and those with chronic medical conditions. Put in place specific policies to minimize face-to-face contact between these drivers or assign work tasks that allow them to maintain a distance of 6 feet from other workers, customers, and visitors. Provide training to drivers on proper hand-washing practices and other routine preventative measures. This will help prevent the spread of many diseases, including COVID-19. Provide drivers with all personal protective equipment (PPE), including vests, safety glasses and hard hats, that they might need while on the road so that the driver does not need to borrow personal protective equipment from shippers. Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol for truck cabs. Provide tissues and small trash cans for truck cabs. Take additional precautions to address risks associated with ride-alongs or team driving (two drivers in the cab on a long-haul run) when they cannot be avoided. For example, install a removable barrier between the driver and passenger that does not obstruct the task of driving and/or to separate sleeper berth. Maintain a healthy work environment. Conduct worksite assessments to identify COVID-19 prevention strategies. Institute measures to physically separate and increase distance between drivers, other co-workers and customers, such as: Develop policies and technology options that allow and encourage contactless deliveries, such as no-signature delivery. These options limit contact, provide space and avoid the sharing of items such as pens and electronic signature pads between drivers and individuals at the delivery location. During driver-training situations, use virtual training methods and in-vehicle monitoring systems where possible. Limit ride-alongs and in-person classroom-based training. Follow all applicable FMCSA regulations and public health agency guidelines. Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough-and-sneeze etiquette and proper hand-hygiene practices on the dock and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen. Provide disposable disinfectant wipes so that surfaces that are commonly touched can be wiped down. To disinfect, use products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, diluted household bleach solutions or alcohol solutions with at least 60% alcohol, and are appropriate for the surface. Provide drivers training on manufacturer’s directions for use; more detailed cleaning and disinfecting guidance is also available here. Prequalify truck stops, rest areas and hotels to ensure such facilities are open, supplied and follow recommended COVID-19 safety practices, such as: Cleanliness and disinfection (such as routine cleaning, available hand-sanitizing stations and private showers); Proper food handling and food service (such as replacing self-service with full service); and Contactless fuel payment. Follow all applicable local, state and federal regulations and public health agency guidelines. Maintain healthy business operations. Follow the CDC guidance for critical infrastructure workers who may have had exposure to a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Reintegrating exposed, asymptomatic workers back to work, while discussed in the guidance, should not be misinterpreted as the first or most appropriate option. Home isolation may still be the most preferred and viable option for exposed workers. Designate a person who is responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. Drivers should know who this person is and how to contact them. Consider using a hotline for employees to voice concerns anonymously. Make a plan with your employees about what to do if they become sick while on the road. Include where to stop, where and how to seek medical advice and treatment, and plans for freight delivery. Implement flexible sick leave and supportive policies and practices. Consider drafting nonpunitive emergency sick leave policies if sick leave is not offered to some or all employees. Employers should not require a positive COVID-19 test result or a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick to validate their illness, qualify for sick leave, or to return to work. Provide information on who to contact if employees become sick. If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19 infection, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reach out to local public health officials to establish ongoing communications to facilitate access to relevant information before and during a local outbreak. Schedule driver routes to allow for adequate sleep, and use fatigue management strategies. Understand that the current environment could elevate stress levels among drivers. Provide resources to help manage stress. Where can I get more information? Stay informed. Talk to your employer, supervisor or union representative who are responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. See these sources for more information on worker exposures to COVID-19: CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic; CDC COVID-19; OSHA COVID-19; and CDCINFO: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) | TTY: 1-888-232-6348 | website: gov/info.

WASHINGTON — In January, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao called on the nation’s transportation industry to “put the brakes on human trafficking.” Chao asked for 100 pledges, within a 100-day period, from industry organizations to train employees to fight the crime of human trafficking and help raise public awareness of the growing problem. Today (May 7), the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that more than 200 transportation industry leaders have answered Chao’s call to help fight human trafficking. That number is more than double USDOT’s initial commitment to seek out “100 Pledges in 100 Days” from transportation, labor and non-governmental organizations across the country. The signatories represent leaders across all modes of transportation, in addition to leaders of organizations that intersect with transportation, who have committed to raising public awareness regarding human trafficking and to training more than one million employees to help fight the crime. “Over 200 transportation organizations — double the original goal — are joining the department to ensure that America’s transportation systems are not hijacked to facilitate human trafficking. These companies are on the frontlines of helping to ensure the safety of our traveling public,” Chao said in a video statement. Click here to view Chao’s message. In late January, Chao announced a series of efforts to combat human trafficking in the transportation sector. Among those efforts, she called upon transportation leaders to take a public stand against human trafficking by signing USDOT’s “Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking” pledge. To date, more than 450 transportation industry leaders have signed onto the pledge, and the USDOT continues to invite additional transportation leaders to join the effort. To see a full list of signatories, click here. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, affecting nearly 25 million adults and children in the U.S. and worldwide. Victims are of every age, race, gender, background, citizenship and immigration status. Some are trafficked within their own communities, while others are transported to new locations using America’s roadways, airways, railways, and waterways. In addition to US DOT’s commitment to prevent human trafficking, Chao established an annual $50,000 “Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award” to provide added incentive for individuals and entities to think creatively in developing innovative solutions to combat human trafficking in the transportation industry. USDOT received applications from organizations across the private sector as well as state and local government organizations. Chao said she is pleased to announce the United Against Slavery’s (UAS) National Outreach Survey for Transportation as the first-ever recipient of this award. UAS proposed a national counter-trafficking survey of up to 15,000 respondents, with the results made available to the public. This effort could either expand upon a current UAS flight-attendant survey to include other public-facing aviation employees or be conducted within another mode of transportation. Busing on the Lookout, a program of Truckers Against Trafficking, earned second place for its proposal targeting human-trafficking loopholes that exist between buses and casinos. ArtWorks for Freedom earned third place for Airports to Freedom, a proposal to install a multimedia counter-trafficking educational kiosk in up to nine airports to educate and engage the aviation industry and traveling public. To support the USDOT’s countertrafficking efforts, the USDOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking completed a report in July 2019 that recommends actions the USDOT can take to help combat human trafficking, along with best practices for states and local transportation stakeholders. For information about the Trump administration’s efforts to fight human trafficking, click here.  

SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio, channel 146, is offering an exclusive free-to-air channel for professional truck drivers on the front lines, through Sunday, May 31. Road Dog Trucking Radio can be heard wherever truckers tune in — on SiriusXM radios, on the SiriusXM app and at home on a variety of connected devices and speakers. This channel is now available to subscribers nationwide and to everyone — including anyone who is not already a SiriusXM subscriber — as part of SiriusXM’s free streaming access period through May 31. For more information and to start listening, visit siriusxm.com/streamfree. For a listing of channel hosts and schedules visit siriusxm.com/roaddogtrucking.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — To help the public show appreciation to the trucking industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Department of Transportation will coordinate with groups that want to provide free food to truckers. Events that meet and follow specific safety requirements will be held at select IDOT weigh stations throughout the state. “We are proud to offer our assistance in saying thank you to truckers and giving them some encouragement in their travels,” said Omer Osman, the state’s acting transportation secretary. “All of us owe these men and women our gratitude for keeping the nation’s supply chain moving, making sure food is winding up in our homes, and getting medical supplies and equipment to the people that need them most.” The events will be held only at weigh stations, with a maximum time limit of three hours for each event. Illinois Department of Public Health criteria for handling food and other safety guidelines, which can be viewed by clicking here, must be followed at all times. Events will not be held at rest areas. Scheduling will be coordinated by IDOT and the Illinois State Police. Requests by organizations wishing to distribute food must be received at least five days in advance. The following weigh stations will be available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Interstate 55 southbound at Williamsville in Sangamon County; Interstate 57 northbound and southbound at Marion in Williamson County; Interstate 64 eastbound at O’Fallon in St. Clair County; Interstate 70 westbound at Marshall in Marshall County; Interstate 74 eastbound and westbound at Moline in Henry County; Interstate 80 eastbound and westbound at East Moline in Rock Island County; and Interstate 70 eastbound at Brownstown in Fayette County. For more information or to schedule a group’s involvement, contact Keith Donovan, weight enforcement engineer, at [email protected] or 217-299-0934. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Department of Transportation.