OTA Dispatch Issue 2 2020

14 Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch LEAVITT ’ S FREIGHT SERVICE By Gene Hullette, CSP, PHR, HR & Safety Manager Some members got creative with keeping their workplaces safe. In addition to increased cleaning procedures, installing hand sanitizing stations, limiting visitors and maintaining social distancing guidelines, and providing employees with timely information and COVID-19 training, Leavitt’s CEO, Ron Riddle, implemented a full taskforce for the pandemic and designated HR/Safety Manager Gene Hullette to take lead on all incoming information and data. The Leavitt’s management team, along with members from each department, met several times weekly to discuss any new information provided by the CDC. Many employees were assigned to work-from- home, and the company even added an internal instant messaging system to improve communication along with daily conference calls. They closed all but a single point of access into buildings and required all (necessary) visitors to answer general questions about their health and have their temperature taken before entering the building common areas. A significant challenge for Leavitt’s was acquiring personal protective gear, particularly masks and sanitizer. Several people within the organization conducted research and used guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) to make their own! A few employees learned how to sew effective disposable face masks first, and later switched to washable/ reusable for their employees. They were surprised to even find the fabric to make masks! Leavitt’s initial supply of sanitizer was running low and calls were made to several distilleries in the area. Luckily, they found one that produced five-gallon buckets of hand sanitizer (manufactured to WHO guidelines) which they acquired. All employees were offered or provided kits with personal spray bottles of hand sanitizer, latex gloves, and supply of disposable facemasks. But it didn’t stop there. One of Leavitt’s fabrication shop members designed plexiglass separation shields to install in the dispatch office. They rearranged the office layout to provide separation between team members and each office or room was assigned maximum occupancy for the space and posted on the door. Everyone at Leavitt’s pulled together to help in the effort. To learn more about Leavitt’s Freight Service, visit www.leavitts.com. Value of OTA, cont. PENINSULA TRUCK Peninsula Truck Lines employees volunteer 48+ hours for the NE Emergency Food Program in Portland. To learn more about Peninsula Truck, visit www.peninsulatruck.com .