COVID-19 SUT 17 MAIL PROCESSING: Interacting with HCR 03.28.2020
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Mandatory Stand-Up Talk
March 28, 2020
Guidelines for interacting with HCR drivers
during the COVID-19 pandemic
Step 1:
Designate a door, or in the case of larger facilities designate multiple doors, that
Highway Contract Route (HCR) drivers can access to check in. At the designated
door(s), provide an isolated area large enough for several drivers (if multiple
drivers arrive at the same time). When designating the area, keep the social-
distancing guidance of staying 6 feet apart in mind. Post instructions on the
door(s) for the drivers so they know what we need them to do.
Step 2:
If a driver exhibits any signs of being sick, ask the driver to wait in his/her truck
until loading/unloading is complete. If the driver who has signs of being sick
usually helps load/unload the trip, you will need to find postal personnel to load
the truck. If that cannot be done, maintain social distancing during the
load/unload.
As soon as practicable, inform the district Transportation Manager about any
contractor driver exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. The Transportation Manager
must contact the supplier or have the Contracting Officer (CO) provide notice to
the supplier.
Step 3:
When any driver checks in, determine if the trip requires driver assistance in
loading.
A. If driver is needed to help consolidate and load, please reiterate with
the driver the need to maintain social distance.
B. If driver is not needed to help load, ask the driver to wait inside the
truck until trip is ready to depart. See Step 6 below to determine how
driver will know when trip is ready to depart.
Step 4:
Once a trip is loaded and ready to depart, print a PS Form 5398-A, Contract
Route Vehicle Record, and place it on a clipboard that you have located by the
designated entry door.
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COVID-19 SUT 17 MAIL PROCESSING: Interacting with HCR 03.28.2020
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Step 5:
Upon arrival at the plant, ensure drivers remove the padlocks prior to bumping
the dock. After getting permission to depart, the driver should first pull away from
dock and then padlock the truck.
Step 6:
Designate a postal employee as a yardmaster (with a radio) to keep drivers
informed as to when trips are ready to depart, while also signaling to drivers to
come to the designated door and retrieve the PS form 5398-A, 5500, 5429, etc.
The same yardmaster should be used to direct drivers as they come into the
yard.
Note 1: If a driver needs to use the restroom, please do not stop them from
using the facilities, but ask them to return to the truck, or finish loading the truck
when done with the facilities.
Note 2: Emphasize with the driver the need to make sure not to start the truck or
pull away from the dock before getting cleared by the yardmaster.
Note 3: If a facility has a driver breakroom, these should not be used.
Thank you for your attention.
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