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COVID-19 Fleet Vehicle Policies & Procedures

Background

As we move into another round of COVID-19 resurgence, we want to reiterate that the safety and wellbeing of our staff, members and the general public, is a core value of Colorado CarShare. This guidance is to mitigate the chance of transmission for COVID-19 and other seasonal diseases through surface exposure from the daily operation of our car share fleet vehicles and equipment. By employing regular cleaning and disinfecting practices to our fleet vehicles and equipment we can effectively minimize the transmission of these diseases while utilizing these vehicles and equipment. 

Cleaning and disinfecting these surfaces with approved cleaners and disinfectants removes the vast majority of bacteria and viruses that cause flu, colds and other seasonal illnesses reducing the probability of transmission. 

 Definitions 

  • Cleaning: refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Cleaning is typically performed using soap, detergents, cleansers and clean water before using a disinfecting method. 
  • Disinfecting: refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting is typically performed using approved commercial or household disinfecting solutions. 

Staff Guidance for Fleet Vehicles and Equipment. All employees operating or servicing car share fleet vehicles must: 

  1. Clean commonly touched surfaces before and after operation and before disinfecting with an approved disinfectant; wearing nitrile gloves* is highly recommended. 
  2. Using a UV light “wand” to disinfect high touch surfaces is recommended. This can kill 99.9% of microorganisms by physical sterilization according to the approved laboratory research. 
  3. All commonly touched surfaces used to access and control the vehicle should be cleaned and disinfected; common surfaces include but are not limited to: 

  • Door Handles and grab bars Interior door handle and  surrounding surface 
  • Instrument panel, gear shift and control knobs and devices
  • Mirrors or mirror control buttons
  • Vehicle keys and Seatbelts
  • Steering wheel, Dashboard, Radio and temperature controls
  1. Repeat cleaning and disinfecting practices at end of shift or vehicle exchange.
  2. Wash hands after cleaning for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. 


(*Note: Wearing gloves will not stop transmission if you touch a potentially contaminated surface and then touch your face or other surface with the gloves on.)

Note: Employees will use cloth face coverings while in vehicles with two or more employees, public, partners, or cooperators until further notice.

Availability of Approved Disinfectants. In addition to commercially available disinfectants, alcohol solutions with at least 70% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol may be used to meet the intent of this guideline. Alcohol is effective against Coronavirus. Isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol (70%) is a powerful broad- spectrum germicide and can be used to disinfect plastic, glass and metal vehicle surfaces. Since alcohol is flammable, limit its use as a surface disinfectant to small surface-areas and use it in well-ventilated spaces only away from ignition sources. Allow the ethyl alcohol (70% or greater) solution to set on the surface for at least 45 seconds before wiping it off with a disposable towel. 

Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed. 

More information can be found on the CDC website and FDA website.

Refueling. Drivers should wear gloves when refueling if available. If gloves are unavailable, drivers should wipe down the fuel pump handle with sanitizing wipes. If you don’t have wipes, then consider using a paper towel to grab the fuel dispenser handle.  Drivers shall dispose of gloves in a refuse receptacle before re-entering the vehicle. Drivers should sanitize their hands after the completion of the fueling of a vehicle. 

COVID-19 Exposed Vehicles. Vehicles exposed to the COVID-19 virus should be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned. The extent of cleaning must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Fleet Manager, assigned vehicle supervisor, and the individual who is assigned to the vehicle.

Stock Disinfectant / Wipes. Fleet Managers should make sure each vehicle is stocked with a disinfectant (spray or wipes) and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol where possible.

 

Carshare Member Vehicle Use

Stay Home if Sick. If you have a fever, respiratory symptoms, or are just not feeling well, please stay home and do not enter a carshare vehicle. If you do, please contact use right away so that we can ensure nobody else enters the vehicle until it is fully disinfected / deep cleaned.

Vehicle Sanitizing / Cleaning. We recommend that our members clean/wipe down the vehicle  in high touch point areas prior to use with wet wipes provided, wearing nitrile or vinyl gloves if you have them. Where possible, do not travel in vehicles with anyone outside of your family household, and limit the number of people in the vehicle so that all riders can remain a minimum of 6 feet apart. It is recommended that the same people share the same vehicle to minimize exposure.  The driver or passenger must clean the vehicle after use! 

To properly clean a vehicle:

  1. Put on a pair of gloves (if available) that are appropriate for the disinfectant you are using, or use disinfectant sanitation wipes provided (or cloth with hand sanitizer). If there are no sanitation wipes in the vehicle please let us know right away.
  2. If surfaces are noticeably dirty, clean soiled surfaces with a detergent or soap and water before you disinfect them.
  3. Use a disinfectant to clean all soft and hard surfaces: 
  • Door Handles and grab bars Interior door handle and  surrounding surface 
  • Instrument panel, gear shift and control knobs and devices
  • Mirrors or mirror control buttons
  • Vehicle keys and Seatbelts
  • Steering wheel, Dashboard, Radio and temperature controls
  1. Remove (from the vehicle) and throw away used gloves, sanitizing wipes, etc. in the trash. 

Vehicle Fueling. Drivers should wear gloves when refueling if available. If gloves are unavailable, drivers should wipe down the fuel pump handle with sanitizing wipes. If you don’t have wipes, then consider using a paper towel to grab the fuel dispenser handle.  Drivers shall dispose of gloves in a refuse receptacle before re-entering the vehicle. Drivers should sanitize their hands after the completion of the fueling of a vehicle.