Photo: Transervice
Technician Mask Transervice 5f2954c5be69c

To wear a mask…or wear a mask

Aug. 4, 2020
Safety is not something that can be taken lightly by the trucking industry, and the entire industry has demonstrated that by its response to the safety threat presented by COVID-19.

There seems to be some ongoing conversation on the subject of masks — specifically whether to wear them or not.

Here at Transervice, there is no debate. We see masks as both a respect and safety issue. We wear masks for the safety of our co-workers, customers and their families. From our research, they are the only things have been proven to slow the spread of the COVID virus.

Masks are one of several elements in our overall safety arsenal in response to COVID-19. Others include:

  • Technicians cleaning trucks they work on including door handles, shift knobs, arm rests, steering wheels, etc.
  • Drivers doing similar cleaning as part of their pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
  • Everyone in our facilities using antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer.
  • Our shops, break rooms, restrooms, and work benches cleaned as often as practical.
  • No one is allowed to enter any of our facilities without a mask.
  • We intercept parts deliveries outside the shop when possible.

We take all of these steps because safety is one thing that we — and I suspect lots of other companies — have placed a high value on, even before the pandemic. We are concerned about it every day.

Safety is not something that can be taken lightly by the trucking industry and the entire industry has demonstrated that by its response to the safety threat presented by COVID-19. I hope I am not overstepping things by saying the entire industry will continue to do what we deem necessary to see that people get the goods they want and need while at the same time keeping everyone in the supply chain as safe as we possibly can.

As for Transervice, with the benefits of wearing a face covering so compelling, we require the wearing of a face covering where social distancing cannot be maintained. It is the only thing that has proven to be effective in slowing the spread of the virus. With Florida becoming the new epicenter for the novel coronavirus, Sen. Marco Rubio recently ended a message with reporters saying, “and everyone should just wear a damn mask, like you are, and I am…”

Not bad advice when you think about it.

Joseph Evangelist joined Transervice in 2007 and currently serves as executive vice president of sales, operations and staff responsibilities. Heavily involved in new business development and account management, his day-to-day focus consists of post-acquisition assimilation planning to maximize new growth and business combination opportunities. 

About the Author

Joseph Evangelist

Joseph is a seasoned transportation executive with domestic and international experience in sales, operations, mergers and acquisition with heavy emphasis on post-acquisition assimilation planning to maximize new growth and business combination opportunities.

He joined Transervice in 2007 and currently serves as executive vice president with sales, operations and staff responsibilities. He is also heavily involved in new business development and account management.

Previously he was president of LLT International, Inc., an international transportation consulting firm with operations in the U.S. and the Far East. He oversaw the maintenance and fleet management of a 2,000-vehicle cement distribution fleet in Indonesia.

Joseph was also president and CEO of Lend Lease Trucks Inc., a truck rental, leasing and dedicated carriage firm with operations throughout the U.S.

He also was vice president/general manager of The Hertz Corporation – Truck Division, a subsidiary of The Hertz Corp. While there he participated in the acquisition and successful integration of the Canadian licensee operations.

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