COVID 19 Prevention Plan - Additional Consideration #4

COVID-19 Prevention in Employer-Provided Transportation to and from Work

[This section will need to be added to your CPP if there is employer-provided motor vehicle transportation to and from work, which is any transportation of an employee, during the course and scope of employment, provided, arranged for, or secured by an employer including ride-share vans or shuttle vehicles, car-pools, and private charter buses, regardless of the travel distance or duration involved. Reference section 3205.4 for details.]

This section does not apply:

  • If the driver and all passengers are from the same household outside of work, such as family members.
  • To employer-provided transportation when necessary for emergency response, including firefighting, rescue, and evacuation, and support activities directly aiding response such as utilities, communications and medical operations.
  • To employees with occupational exposure as defined by section 5199.
  • To public transportation.

Assignment of transportation

To the extent feasible, we reduce exposure to COVID-19 hazards by assigning employees sharing vehicles to distinct groups and ensuring that each group remains separate from other such groups during transportation, during work activities, and in employer-provided housing.  We will prioritize shared transportation assignments in the following order:

  • Employees residing in the same housing unit will be transported in the same vehicle.
  • Employees working in the same crew or worksite will be transported in the same vehicle.
  • Employees who do not share the same household, work crew or worksite will be transported in the same vehicle only when no other transportation alternatives are possible.
  • At risk and unvaccinated employees should be informed of the risk. The employer must also try to limit the number of those individuals in one vehicle whenever feasible. 

Face coverings and respirators

  • Cal-OSHA states that employers are required to enforce local health department recommendations. Per the San Francisco Department of Public Health, face coverings are recommended but not required during "public" transportation, i.e. traveling with people outside of your household.
  • Upon request, employers shall provide respirators for voluntary use in compliance with subsection to all employees in the vehicle per OSHA’s California Code of Regulations

Screening

We develop, implement, and maintain effective procedures for screening and excluding drivers and riders with COVID-19 symptoms prior to boarding shared transportation. 

Ventilation Recommendations:

We ensure that vehicle windows are kept open, and the ventilation system set to maximize outdoor air and not set to recirculate air. Windows do not have to be kept open if one or more of the following conditions exist:

  • The vehicle has functioning air conditioning in use and excessive outdoor heat would create a hazard to employees. 
  • The vehicle has functioning heating in use and excessive outdoor cold would create a hazard to employees. The outside temperature is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Protection is needed from weather conditions, such as rain or snow.
  • The vehicle has a cabin air filter in use and the U.S. EPA Air Quality Index for any pollutant is greater than 100.

Hand hygiene

We will provide hand sanitizer in each vehicle and ensure that all drivers and riders sanitize their hands before entering and exiting the vehicle. Hand sanitizers with methyl alcohol are prohibited.