Preparing your fleet for the end of lockdown

It’s been a turbulent year for many businesses, with Covid-19 affecting the fleet industry in ways never seen before. Now, with a clear roadmap out of the current lockdown, it’s time to prepare for your fleet to be at full capacity again. 

For some, the end of lockdown means entirely re-opening their business. For others, it means that current operations will ramp up. For all, the health of drivers and assets need to be a priority as business gets going once more. 

Whether you’ve been able to keep running during the pandemic or not, here are our top tips for preparing your fleet for the end of lockdown. 

Keep your workers safe 

With workers coming back into shared spaces and using shared assets, it’s vital that you implement proper health and safety protocols in line with the government’s advice. 

Now is the best time to think about your Covid-safe strategy. According to research from Verizon Connect, 58% of fleet managers say that following new rules, such as social distancing, has made business less efficient. But having a clear plan in place will help reduce disruption to your business and keep things running efficiently.  

From sanitising vehicles and ensuring social distancing to providing appropriate PPE and implementing contact tracing, there are a lot of safety aspects to consider. 

Find out more about the government’s Covid workplace advice on its official website. 

Make sure your assets are ready  

The pressure for fleet managers to reduce costs and keep assets in a safe, useable condition is at an all-time high. From delivery vehicles and company cars to heavy machinery and other vital equipment, many of your assets may have been out of action over the past year. 

Now is the best time to start scheduling maintenance checks. Ensure vehicles have had batteries, tyres and fluid levels checked before they’re set to be used again, and make sure any other equipment that has been out of action is in good condition. 

Prepare your drivers 

If your employees have been furloughed or working from home, it’s well worth taking some time to make sure they’re ready to work at full capacity again. 

Keep everything running smoothly by checking if you need to refresh any driver training with your workers and making sure they’re fully informed about new health and safety protocols. 

It’s also important to make it clear to your workers that they must stay at home if they feel unwell.  

Bear in mind that there will be more potential for drivers to take time off, whether that’s for their Covid vaccinations or for self-isolation. So it’s a good idea to plan ahead to ensure you have enough drivers to cover shifts for those who are unable to work. 

Consider road safety 

The end of lockdown will mean more vehicles on the road, and with a shift towards online shopping over the past 12-months, this could mean more traffic than ever before. 

With this increased volume comes an increased potential for accidents. Ensuring your drivers are up to date with any safety training and keeping assets well maintained is vital to help avoid this. It’s also worth considering what travel is essential, to make sure you’re only sending drivers out when you absolutely need to. 

Remind your drivers to take regular breaks when they’re on the road to avoid them becoming tired or distracted while they’re working, especially while they’re getting back into their working routine.  

Following these tips will help you to get your fleet ready for a busy year ahead.