In regard to the above posts, Obviously the health profession is the very front line of this crisis. However, transport and distribution are essential in the support of health workers and in the movement of goods such as food into the retail chain.
The key element in transport are the distribution centres where often hundreds work on each shift as pickers and product handlers. In those centres social distancing is impossible and therefore the chances infection are high.
In the above, up until this point, there would seem to be no major outbreak of Covid-19 in any of the food distribution centres for it would be very worrying should that begin to occur.
In regard to HGV drivers, they are continually going back and forth to those centres and working closely with other workers when their vehicles are being loaded and unloaded, when again social distancing is often impossible.
Perhaps the greatest health risk to drivers would be that the service areas where they often have to take their rest breaks are closed down which includes the toilets areas. Portaloos have been left for drivers use which have no running water for those using them to even wash their hands. Therefore those drivers have nothing better than wet wipes for use when they can get them.
Many companies involved in the support of the distribution industry including our own have contacted the Health & Safety Executive to draw their attention to the above and hopefully, it will be addressed.
A large percentage of employees in distribution centres are women, while approximately ten percent of heavy goods drivers are women.
We should also think of those in water supply in regard to key workers and especially those in the sewage treatment plants throughout the country. The risk of infection in those plants is very high in normal times, but in the present situation it is "off the scale"
