Manage COVID-19 Rationally or Let it Happen Chaotically! RFA Shares Best Practices with its Members

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it numerous and additional challenges for road freight operators to manage in an already complex workplace. This is according to Gavin Kelly, Chief Executive of the Road Freight Association (RFA), speaking after a members-only webinar which focused solely on assisting and guiding members through this new Labour minefield. Titled “Are you prepared for a positive COVID-19 case in the workplace?”, the session was attended by trucking operators from around the country. Labour law experts Prof Hugo Pienaar and Jaden Cramer from law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CHD) fielded many questions from RFA members anxious to ensure that they were compliant and followed best practice in this new workplace hazard. “With the number of active cases of Coronavirus rising exponentially and more workplaces re-opening, it is inevitable that a worker may present with symptoms related to COVID-19,” says Kelly. “It is imperative that employers are prepared for such an event and that they act decisively to limit the risk of transmission in the workplace. The RFA webinar enabled members to access the top legal experts in this area and get all their questions answered.” The CDH team shared practical advice and outlined the steps that employers should follow, stressing the need for open lines of communication and clear and concise guidelines for employees to follow. “As we head into the peak period for COVID-19 infections over the coming months, the RFA is committed to equipping its members with the knowledge they need to deal with this pandemic to the best of their abilities. We are sharing as much information with them as we can about the precautions they can take. As “ the voice of the road freight industry”, we are able to access the leading experts in this field – something we will continue to do in our continued efforts to guide and support members”.