In a year of stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines, the world was presented with a number of critical challenges that no one saw coming.
One of many interesting new developments that can’t be ignored is that while people sheltered in place, they turned to eCommerce to acquire groceries, toilet paper, over-the-counter medicine and other essential items. Instead of lining up in stores, many queued up online, waiting for the next available shipment of disinfectant wipes.
This propelled eCommerce more than 32% year-over-year, achieving sales in excess of $794 billion in 2020. This is nearly double the original projected growth rate of 18%, which still would have represented a sizable increase over the previous year.
As more consumers turned to eCommerce for safety and convenience, its heightened popularity put a strain on the trucking industry, with truck drivers being tasked to deliver more goods at a faster rate.
While that speed may be necessary in order to keep up with consumer needs and expectations, it also poses a greater risk for getting injured on the job and accelerates the need to recruit and retain top talent.
Organizations should do everything in their power to reduce that risk, which not only serves employees but also helps businesses as well by maintaining operations, by keeping the most capable employees working, and by avoiding preventable compensation claims.
If delivery personnel are to remain safe and avoid injury during these unprecedented times, trucking companies must ensure their team members have the knowledge and skills necessary to move in strong, safe positions without slowing them down.
