The government has issued new guidance on how different workplaces should be made safe for staff during the coronavirus pandemic : Working in a vehicle

[POSTMAN]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52623254" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

5. Working in a vehicle
Lorry drivers and couriers have been classified as key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Where social distancing guidelines can't be followed while they're at work, bosses have been told to consider whether that activity is critical to the business. One example includes heavy deliveries needing more than one member of staff.

Bosses of those working in vehicles should also:

• Use screens or barriers to separate people from each other if working in the same vehicle if they can
  Reduce the number of people each person has contact with by using "fixed teams", so each person works with only a few others
  Ensure regular cleaning of vehicles, in particular between different users
  Minimise contact when customers are paying or signing for a package
  Prepare for goods to be dropped off to an agreed area, for example through click-and-collect, to avoid transmission
  Keep sufficient supplies of hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes in cars or lorries so workers can clean their hands after each delivery or drop-off

Loads more other stuff at the link.

[claretandblue]

So regular partners should be able to van share ?

[scoobydo79]

So regular partners should be able to van share ?

Why would You think that? After work people go home to a house full of other people then next day come back to work.

[A2B]

So regular partners should be able to van share ?

Why would You think that? After work people go home to a house full of other people then next day come back to work.

I don't agree with it but that's what it says. RM will be pushing for van shares and the union will be totally against it so another row brewing

[hans solo]

no means to wash vans at our do
not that you would get the time
screens between partners wont happen
days off covered by others more chance of infection spread

[mags999]

carry on using your car if they insist on van share making a return before its safe to do so

[Gasman11]

So regular partners should be able to van share ?

Only if the driver and passenger are separated by some form of screening, so until that happens no van sharing won't happen.

[A2B]

So regular partners should be able to van share ?

Only if the driver and passenger are separated by some form of screening, so until that happens no van sharing won't happen.

It says use screens or barriers if you can, can't see RM paying out for that.

[blacov]

It wont happen.

Assuming that RM will try to push for return of van shares it will be rightfully blocked by CWU. In majority of DO we have no mean to clean the van properly in fact they are just filthy and to clean these to an acceptable standard would take a lot of effort and time. We can't afford it. I guess there will be no van shares untill further notice. Perhaps next government statement may change it but personally I doubt it.

[A2B]

It wont happen.

Perhaps next government statement may change it but personally I doubt it.

For peoples health i hope not but again the government guidence isn't clear cut, screens or barriers "if you can"! RM are going to say it isn't viable so that will lead to pressure being put on workers to carry on regardless.

There seem to be a few on here already who would happily take a vanshare out without any precautions in place for an easier life.

[scoobydo79]

Lol Some in My office lasted 3 days before they started van share again

[GRS]

Just heard on BBC news that the government are going to be issuing guidelines for car sharing. This is to encourage people going to work to cut the amount of cars on the road due to people not using public transport. Be interesting to see what comes of it as that will have some bearing on van sharing as far as RM are concerned. They were talking about both windows need to be open, you don’t touch the same parts and the vehicle is wiped clean between use.

[wallop]

A screen in a van is ok for covid but what about getting out of a vehicle on fire if you can't get out your side?

[Woody Guthrie]

A screen in a van is ok for covid but what about getting out of a vehicle on fire if you can't get out your side?

It's a non starter.
You can't bodge one of these things, they have to be designed, fitted and tested by experts and they have to pass what used to be VOSA now DVSA inspection. In an accident the last thing you want is to be skewered by someone's half assed Blue Peter attempt at a shield.

Given the number of different vehicles RM runs retrofitting these to existing vehicles would be prohibitively expensive.

If this does become the new normal though you might see it as an optional extra on new vans being that it's much cheaper to fit these things during vehicle manufacture.

[Woody Guthrie]

Be interesting to see what comes of it as that will have some bearing on van sharing as far as RM are concerned. .

I think the most important thing would be the fact that sharing a car to go to work would be your choice and the liability would be yours.

Being instructed by your employer would be a whole different legal position.

I can already see holes in the guidance, if you have asthma the last thing you want to do in the summer is drive around with the windows open especially on a busy road and in the rain? I killed my electric windows doing that once.