Transporting Machinery Safely During COVID-19: Best Practices

The novel coronavirus has dramatically affected the daily lives of millions of people all over the world. Strict implementation of social distancing is among the courses of action to help curb the spread of the disease. However, moving and transportation cannot wait, especially if you are relocating your facilities.

Relocating your business during a pandemic can be extremely challenging, particularly when considering the various laws and safety regulations designed to mitigate the crisis. If you are relocating your plant within the next few months, it is highly critical to plan the move to ensure that everything will go properly and safely as possible.

Hiring Machinery Movers

Since the Canadian government has allowed the business sector to reopen, moving agencies are ready to provide their services once more.  When hiring professional heavy equipment movers during the pandemic, there are several key factors to look into so your assets arrive safely at their destination.

In addition to upholding social distancing, the machinery moving company must have a carefully constructed COVID-19 safety plan that assesses the risk of exposure at their workplace. If you want to learn more about the company’s COVID-19 policy, simply visit their website or reach them using the provided contact information. Since moving companies continue to provide essential services to clients, they have already set their own safety and health practices for operating during the pandemic. Entrust your assets to a company that successfully meets the safety standards set by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).

Working closely with your moving company does not necessarily mean meeting them face to face. You can contact them by calling their phones or through online conference calls. Consult with them to learn about their moving protocols, tools and equipment, and daily cleaning procedures for specialized trucks used in heavy equipment transportation. Health and safety should always be a top priority to protect both workers and clients.

Rest assured that every moving company is taking the extra mile to implement safety protocols that include:

• Strict implementation of local and federal guidelines around proper sanitation and physical distancing
• Conducting virtual surveys instead of sending someone to survey your facility to provide estimates
• Frequent and thorough sanitation of moving equipment and trucks
• Wearing of masks and gloves during the moving process
• Stocking hand sanitizer in trucks and workplace areas

Things You Must Do

Proper planning is key to the success of relocation processes. Cover all the bases to prevent mishaps and hazards while preserving the condition of your machines. Keep these important steps in mind:

• Ask for a Virtual Survey

If you want to get a quote from a professional machinery moving company, ask them to conduct the survey virtually. Doing so eliminates the need to have people come into your facility, reducing the risk of contamination. The majority of the movers can accommodate virtual surveys through a live walkthrough via video call, a pre-recorded video of your machinery, or a compilation of photos.

• Contact Your Movers

Call to confirm your reservation with the company. Learn if they have provided additional information on developing a safety plan for the move. This not only sheds light on their strategies to mitigate coronavirus health risks but also ensures that you are on the same page.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus can be transmitted through person-to-person contact, whether the infected person shows symptoms or not. That is why you must ask the company if part of their service is to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for their movers. Also, do not forget to ask them about the preventive practices they are taking to ensure protection for workers and clients on a daily basis.

• Wear Protective Gear

If you will be accompanying the transportation crew or overlooking the moving process, make sure to wear protective gear, such as PPE, gloves, mask, and shoe coverings to protect yourself and prevent you from taking the virus into your home. Do not forget to practice a safe distance (at least 6 feet away from the movers).

• Emphasize Handwashing or the Use of Hand Sanitizers

The best practice to prevent the transmission of the virus is by washing and disinfecting the hands with alcohol or hand sanitizers. Make handwashing stations or sanitizers available when the movers pick up your machines and equipment. If you have designated an overseer, have them ensure that the movers sanitize their hands thoroughly before touching boxes or machines.

• Do Not Borrow or Recycle Packing Supplies

Health experts warn that the coronavirus can live on various surfaces for up to several days. Keep in mind that now is not the time to borrow or recycle old packing supplies. Instead of buying used supplies from online marketplaces, invest in brand new ones instead.

• Do Not Forget to Disinfect Machinery

Since your packing supplies and machinery are transported to another location, they have been exposed to dust and other elements. Disinfect high-touch surfaces before unpacking your machinery parts. Deep cleaning before unpacking and installing the machines helps reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.

• Reschedule If You Feel Sick

If you or your overseer does not feel well before or during the scheduled date, call the moving company and reschedule. Among the most common coronavirus symptoms include cough, fever, chills, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Quarantine yourself from others to prevent spreading the virus to others.

Be smart if you are looking forward to moving and transporting your equipment during the pandemic. Make sure to follow the standard safety and health rules and implement them strictly. Always uphold the social distancing and sanitization requirements.

Staying Safe While Moving and Transporting Your Equipment

Some moving companies will let you stay at home and leave the job to them. You can entrust them with the various tasks, from disassembling and packing of machine parts to ferrying them to the destination. Just make sure you have an accurate and organized inventory. What is important is keeping the communication lines open for updates.

If you are looking for a machinery moving company that you can depend on during the pandemic, call Ready Machinery Movers at (905) 875-1990 or use our toll-free number 1-800-211-2500 to reach us.

Contact Us To Help With Your Heavy Machinery Needs

If you’re looking for the best relocation company across Canada, the United States, and overseas, Ready Machinery Movers is at your service.

Request a quote by calling our estimators at 1-800-211-2500 or by completing our online quote request form.