THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL


We have been hearing news from all levels of government from Washington DC to California that there is light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel.
Curves are flattening; deaths, thankfully, are lessening and new cases are dropping off.
Finally some good news.

Does this mean it is over?
Not by a longshot.
What it means is that every American Citizen is doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing to defeat the enemy.
It means that we are winning all of the battles and are winning them handsomely.
The war still looms large, and the enemy fights on, but he has seen our resolve and is beginning to back down.

In spite of everything you read, the experts are serving us well.
They are planning the attacks, providing us with the necessary armament to fight, and like good soldiers, we are marching forward to the end.

We at Boon Data Solutions want to thank everyone for a job well done and spur everyone on to continue to fight to the end.
Excellent job!
Thank you to all who are First Responders, Medical Workers, and most of all you CDL Drivers.
No war is run without a successful supply line.
Great Job everyone.
Keep it up!

HOW LONG DOES IT HANG AROUND?


We read an interesting article recently about how long the COVID-19 pest hangs around once it lands on various surfaces.

The virus can hang in the air for up to 3 hours, but different surfaces have different hang times as follows;

  1. Copper – 4 hours. Interestingly enough, copper is a natural disinfectant.
  2. Cardboard – 16 hours
  3. Stainless Steel – 21 hours
  4. Plastic – 21 hours

So what does this mean in the world of social distancing and navigating the great outdoors?

If you are a commuter, the bug can literally hang on the stainless steel bus or subway hangers or straps for up to 72 hours.

Might be a good idea to wear gloves.

If you venture into the supermarket for those needed groceries, the pushcart handles can host the little bugger 72 hours as well.

Use the provided wipes.

Just about any door or freezer handle will also need the Wipes attention.

UPS and FEDEX can deliver a cardboard box of Corona, as well.

Wipe it down with disinfectant.

Glass doors, windows, and such can provide a safe landing for up to 96 hours, especially if it is cold like on a grocery store freezer cabinet. Gloves and wipes work well.

The little buggers are all around, but you can rest assured that they won’t jump off a surface at you, you have to physically pick them up.

BOON DATA CARES

FMSCA COVID-19 Drug and Alcohol Testing Guidance(In effect 6/30/2020)

 
 

Recommendations for FMCSA Regulated Employers.

Random Testing

If COVID-19 disrupts your normal testing, and you are not able to meet your required testing rate, you must document your specific reasons and make up the missing tests by the end of the year.

Pre-Employment Testing

If you are unable to test a prospective employee, you cannot allow that employee to perform DOT safety-sensitive functions.

Post-Accident Testing

If, due to COVID-19 disruptions, you are not able to administer an alcohol test within 8 hours, or a controlled substance test within 32 hours, you are required to document the specific reasons why testing couldn’t be performed.

Reasonable Suspicion Test

If testing is not available, due to COVID-19 disruptions, you should document in writing the specific reasons, including efforts to mitigate the effect of the disruption, such as seeking alternative collection sites. Included with this should be the reasons for observations leading to the need for testing.

Return to Duty Testing

You must not allow a driver to return to duty until the RTD test is conducted with a negative result.

BOON DATA makes easy work of all of these requirements and keeps you on track after the COVID-19 crisis ends.

DOT Drug Testing Guidance during COVID-19 For DOT Regulated Employers

“DOT is committed to maintaining public safety while providing maximum flexibility to allow Transportation industries to conduct their operations safely and efficiently during this period of national emergency.”

For DOT-Regulated Employers (DOT guidance for March 23, 2020)

  1. You must still comply with applicable training and testing requirements. DOT recognizes that resources for testing may be unavailable in certain areas. If fixed sites are not available, consider mobile.
  2. If closures, State mandates or other impediments exist, you must document why a test was not completed. Follow up testing must be performed.
  3. If testing resources are unavailable, underlying regulations still apply. Without a negative pre-employment drug test an employer may not permit prospective employees to perform DOT safety-sensitive functions.
  4. The employee is not able to get tested due to COVID-19 restrictions, the employer is obligated to document the reasons and decide if a refusal exists.

Boon Data is designed to handle these situations taking worry and confusion out of the equation. When the crisis is over you will know exactly where you stand and what steps must be taken to get back to normal.