Keeping a Semi Truck clean is a big job and an even bigger job during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Truckers already spend a significant amount of time on the road, which means a truck’s cab can get dirty pretty quickly. It is more important now than ever to keep your truck clean to avoid the spread of germs to other people and to keep yourself healthy.
How Does Sanitizing Help?
Many people remember their parents reminding them to wash their hands before they eat and after using the restroom, but for many, this is still not a regular habit. The COVID-19 Pandemic has begun to change this for many people, but it does not tend to be normal or routine behavior yet. This makes knowing how to sanitize your semi an important task as it will help lessen the spread of germs and lessen your chances of contracting COVID-19.
Truckers spend the majority of their time by themselves on the road, but there are times when many drivers will be at an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. After these times, it is important for the driver to sanitize their truck.
How do I Sanitize my Semi?
According to the Omaha Fire Department, in partnership with the Nebraska Trucking Association, you should follow the following steps to create a diluted household bleach solution.
- First, it is important to make sure that the household bleach you are using is intended to be used for disinfection. Check the label and make sure it has a sodium hypochlorite concentration of 5-6 percent.
- To make the solution mix five tablespoons of bleach per gallon of room temperature water or four tablespoons of bleach per quart of room temperature water.
- Alcohol solutions with at least 70 percent alcohol may also be used.
- It is important to leave the bleach solution on the surface for at least one minute to make sure the bleach properly disinfects the surface.
Make sure you are only using this bleach solution on non-porous surfaces. For softer surfaces such as leather, cloth, or vinyl, use an ammonia-based cleaning solution such as Lysol or Clorox wipes in order to avoid damage to surfaces.
When Should I Sanitize my Semi?
You should sanitize your semi after the vehicle is exposed to COVID at a minimum. However, the CDC recommends sanitizing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces of your truck on a routine basis. The CDC recommends disinfecting the:
- Truck cab (driver door handle, steering wheel, seat belt and buckle, arm and headrest, seat cover, turn signal, wiper controls, dashboard, air ducts, temperature controls, and radio controls).
- Sleeper berth (light switches, temperature controls, mattress tray, and other flat surfaces).\
If a third party enters your truck’s interior, you should also request they clean and disinfect the truck before turning it back over to you.
How Can I Actually Keep my Cab Clean?
As a driver, before you start your shift, consider wiping down all the surfaces you’ll touch throughout your shift with the bleach solution as described above. It may take an extra 10 minutes out of your day, but there is a lot less traffic on the highways now, so it is easier to make up time lost.
You should also consider washing your bedding regularly using hot water. The CDC also advises against shaking out dirty laundry in order to avoid spreading the virus. Consider also disinfecting your various electronic devices throughout your cab with alcohol-based wipes.
Closing
During these uncertain times, it is important to protect ourselves from the uncertainty of COVID-19, and one way to do this is to make sanitizing your semi a habit. FCC wants all of our drivers to be happy and healthy, especially during this pandemic. Each truck driver is essential and is keeping America running during these times of uncertainty. We want all of our drivers to come home to their families happy and healthy.