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Fleet Procedures for COVID-19
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Fleet Procedures for COVID-19

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Fleet Procedures for COVID-19

Fleet Procedures for COVID-19 - Our fleets are on the front lines of the current global pandemic, COVID-19. We are on the roads 24/7 making mobile oil and gas deliveries to keep the Northeast moving. OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free from hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm. COVID-19 certainly falls under this. For many employees and business owners, the company vehicle is their workplace. If you are a fleet manager, you know you must do your part to lower the risk of potential infections among those using your fleet and those with whom your drivers interact. Spread mainly via person-to-person contact, this virus can also be caught by touching infected surfaces, such as company vehicles, then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. Tips for Fleet Safety Drivers and fleet managers: Wipe down frequently-touched vehicle surfaces with a sanitizer and/or disinfectant, such as steering wheel, radio, gear shifter, armrest, door handles and power window buttons. Drivers: Sanitize equipment, such as scanners, handheld computers, toolboxes, and cart handles that may be used to haul equipment. Keep in mind, alcohol- or ammonia-based cleaners may damage the interior dashboard, seats, and in-cab touch screen [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-04-16T15:34:26-05:00April 16th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off

Fleets and Mental Health Awareness

Fleets and Mental Health Awareness - Truck drivers tend to carry the image of being tough and resistant to emotional stress, but this perception isn’t always true. And it certainly doesn’t allow for open discussions about mental health in the trucking industry. Yet it’s important to do away with the stigma of mental illness in this industry. As such, many fleet truckers and their employers are working hard to change that image, paying more attention to mental health and its influences on the workers’ well-being and work performance.With suicides up among truckers, it’s more important than ever to shed light on this situation and provide much-needed support. Death by suicide is just one small part of the wider more complex topic of mental health. With more than 17 million American adults experiencing depression, this is one of the most common mental disorders.In truckers, this number is nearly double, according to Transport Topics. This is particularly alarming because depression is associated with suicide, and suicide is now one of the top 10 leading causes of death in this country.Suicide RatesThe suicide rate is higher within certain groups and professions. Narrowing this down, transportation has the fourth-highest rate among working-age adults in [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-03-23T15:17:42-05:00March 23rd, 2020|Fleet|Comments Off

Onsite Fuel Tanks Can Simplify Fuel Management: Things to Consider

Onsite Fuel Tanks Can Simplify Fuel Management: Things to Consider - There are many factors to consider when it comes to on-site fuel storage, from the benefits of fuel monitoring to cleaning and maintenance costs. And don’t forget about tank transportation, theft prevention and much more. As the source of 98 percent of energy consumed at the average jobsite, diesel is a universal expense for any contractor. As the construction industry continues to grow and change, businesses are forced to find newer, more efficient ways to manage their assets, including fuel storage. Thankfully, on-site tanks are able to simplify fuel management. Check out these things to think about when it comes to a fuel tank purchase on location. Mobility and Capacity The size of the tank directly correlates with how stationary or mobile it will be. Some tanks hold less than 150 gallons, while other containers can hold up to 25,000 gallons. It’s important to start off knowing how much fuel you are using now and how mobile your fuel supply has to be. Not surprisingly, smaller tanks are easier to transport, usually DOT-approved trailer-mounted tanks holding between 200 and 1,000 gallons. These are well-suited to delivering fuel to [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2024-09-09T04:19:11-05:00February 25th, 2020|Fuel Tanks|Comments Off

Safety Throughout the Year

Safety Throughout the Year - As the owner of a fleet of vehicles, whether construction or transportation or something in between, you know the importance of safety – all the year through. But as 2019 comes to a close, it’s especially important to give ourselves reminders of why safety is critical when it comes to managing your fleet. With the holidays comes more traffic on the roadways, which means you must focus on creating safer roadways for everyone out there. Think about creating a safety culture of sorts at your company to place a big priority on staying safe, both for your drivers and for everyone else on the road. It should be a way of life. Make that your New Year’s resolution as a responsible fleet owner! Guaranteed, you will see the ripple effects extend far beyond what you thought could be possible. Here are a few ideas for you to implement. Create a Safety Program with Rewards Rewarding people is always a nice incentive, a great motivator if you will. Safety should be at the core of who you are and what you deliver. Train your employees to put safety at #1. To move this along, reward members [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2019-12-22T17:35:34-05:00December 22nd, 2019|Safety Tips|Comments Off

Did You Know? Biodiesel Can be Used Year Round

Did You Know? Biodiesel Can be Used Year Round - With chilly fall temperatures now upon us, now’s the perfect time to begin preparing your fleet’s fuel for winter operations. One of the myths of wintertime fuel is that biodiesel cannot be used in cold weather. However, the truth is that biodiesel blends can be used year round, everywhere ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is used. All diesel fuels need the proper maintenance to ensure optimal winter performance. Biodiesel is no different. Explaining Cold Flow Regardless of what fuel you use, it’s vital to make sure cold flow properties are adequate for your climate during winter. There are two important cold flow measurements necessary for standard No. 2 diesel fuel and biodiesel: Cloud point (CP): This is the temperature at which wax or gel crystals first show up in the fuel, giving it a cloudy or hazy appearance. Cold filter plugging point (CFPP): This is the temperature at which larger crystals form and begin to clog up the fuel filter. In general, CFPP indicates the lowest temperature for optimal vehicle operation. To guard against engine power loss, the CFPP must stay below wintertime low temperatures. Cold flow properties for diesel [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2019-11-21T10:25:41-05:00November 21st, 2019|Biodiesel|Comments Off

Simple Steps to Clean a Diesel Engine

If you own a piece of equipment or machinery, or a truck that runs on diesel, you know how important it is to keep the engine clean. Neglecting this simple task can take years off the life of your equipment, causing you to face unnecessary repairs and premature replacement. While the old rumor was that you’re not supposed to clean a diesel engine, we now know this is just untrue. Tips to Help You can and should clean your diesel engine, and here are some simple steps to doing this. Keep in mind many of these are the same as for a gasoline engine. Using a brush, manually remove the debris that’s trapped under the hood and in the grill. Warm up the engine and run it for five to 10 minutes. This will loosen up the grease and oil, making the rest of this task much easier. Cover the recommended parts with baggies and secure with rubber bands. There are about four under-hood items that you should cover for protection, such as the alternator, power steering filler, air intake, and sensors. Apply the engine degreaser from the bottom up so the cleaner doesn’t drip on you. Let it sit for [...]

By Vincent Gentile|2019-10-10T15:08:35-05:00October 10th, 2019|Diesel Engine|Comments Off

Truck Fleet Management Strategy: Minimizing Downtime is the Tip of the Iceberg

Truck Fleet Management Strategy: Minimizing Downtime is the Tip of the Iceberg - When determining a strong truck fleet management strategy, your first thought may go directly to minimizing downtime. This is an easy go-to strategy, which is certainly valid, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. There are many other components of a good strategy that can help you save money, time and stress. It’s no secret that truck fleet management presents several challenges, including: Minimize vehicle downtime Avoid unnecessary expenses Stay on top of ever-changing compliance requirements But perhaps the biggest challenge of all is lacking the expertise necessary to adequately manage all aspects of your fleet, including sourcing the proper equipment with the proper specifications for the proper application. Attempting to solve these problems through the use of multiple vendors and systems only serves to make matters worse. Now you have too many balls up in the air, and you may lose one. In order to manage your truck fleet in the most efficient way, you have to implement a comprehensive strategy that encompasses the unique needs of your fleet on top of your company’s objectives. In essence, you need a wide breadth of skills that [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2019-09-20T13:32:49-05:00September 20th, 2019|Fleet|Comments Off

Top 5 Trucking Trends

If you are in the trucking industry, you will want to keep a close eye on these top trends for the remainder of 2019. 1. Driver Shortage and Wages The driver shortage is still the top challenge as reported by fleet owners. Some fleets are reporting that more than a third of their trucks were empty at any given time last year. One company said of the 800 drivers they interviewed over the past year, they only hired two – and neither one of them showed up to work, according to Trucking Info. Driver wages are expected to increase this year, with driver pay conditions being more favorable today for drivers than a year ago. 2. The Economy The economic outlook is not as great as it was one year ago. It’s the second longest economic expansion in our history. Good news is, there is enough momentum to take us through the first half of the year. After that, there are definitely some economic indicators that seem troublesome, such as the stock and housing markets, tax cuts in favor of buybacks rather than capital investment, tariffs and trade wars, etc. In general, experts are predicting a slowdown as we [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2019-08-22T16:42:02-05:00August 22nd, 2019|Trucking Trends|Comments Off

Marine Fuel and Oil Spills: What to Do

Marine Fuel and Oil Spills: What to Do - Oil spills endanger public health, poison the drinking water, devastate natural resources, and disrupt the economy. But as we have become more dependent upon oil-based products, the risk for spills goes up. Oil and fuel from boats contain toxic components that come with harmful physical effects and can pose threats to public health and the environment, says the EPA. As a boater of any kind, fuel spills are likely always on your mind. If you spill fuel or oil into the water, what steps would you take to mitigate the situation? Here are some helpful tips if this happens to you. #1: Identify the cause and source of the spill. If you can, stop it at the source immediately. #2: Notify the marina or fuel dock right away because they may have oil absorbent pads and booms to contain any spills that may occur. Dispose of used absorbent materials properly as hazardous waste. #3: If the spill produces a sheen on the water, notify the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Give them the following information: Location of the incident Cause or source of the spill Type and amount [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2019-07-18T14:31:26-05:00July 18th, 2019|Marine Fueling, Safety Tips|Comments Off

Summertime Tips for Truckers

Summertime Tips for Truckers - With summer comes warmer temperatures and more people on the roadways taking trips. This is a great time of year but also dangerous as we contend with soaring temps and increased traffic. Here are some ways truckers can stay safe this summer. 1. Check the Brakes You may not realize it, but the temperature can have a big impact on your brakes. Brake fading can happen when the temperature outside gets hot. This is due to the loss of friction because brake components are no longer able to absorb the heat, which leads to increased stopping distances and decreased brake life performance. Routine maintenance is a must to ensure brake fading doesn’t occur. 2. Keep Your Tires Inflated Properly The summer heat can cause tire blowouts. That’s because tires tend to inflate with rising temperatures. When those inflated tires make contact with hot surfaces such as asphalt pavement, that friction, combined with high speeds, can result in blowouts. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, especially in summer. Regular maintenance of your tires will also extend their useful life. 3. Protect Yourself From the Sun Many truckers don’t realize the level of sun exposure [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2019-06-20T16:43:41-05:00June 20th, 2019|Safety Tips|Comments Off