We are all aware of the escalating situation with regards to COVID-19 pandemic and UKWA has taken the following steps to protect our team and to keep members informed.

Until further notice the executive team at UKWA is now working from home, however our commitment is to business as usual and customary contact details remain unchanged.  It goes without saying that UKWA team is here to do everything possible to support members through this challenging time.

• Coronavirus statement – please refer to UKWA’s earlier statement on Coronavirus, which contains links to the government’s guidelines, and can be found here: https://www.ukwa.org.uk/market-intel/ukwa-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19/

• Practical measures – we are encouraging members to adopt a common-sense approach to minimise the risk of infection to employees and the wider community. Following reports of visiting drivers being denied the use of welfare facilities at warehouses, we would remind members of HSE’s Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations and Approved Code of Practice; and ask that where practical members provide clean and properly equipped facilities. Also, the reluctance to handle traditional pen and paper delivery and collection notes for signature as evidence for goods received, as outlined at Clause 11.2 of UKWA’s Contract Conditions, may call for agreement of alternative protocols with customers. With modern technology such as scans and photographs by smartphone, coupled with SMS and email messaging, this should be straightforward and mutually acceptable for adherence to agreed contract terms.

• Robust communication – will also be key to managing the vital supply of goods and services though this crisis and, as the voice of our industry, it falls to us to keep government and the media informed of the facts from a logistics perspective to avoid speculation and unnecessary additional pressures on supply chains. We have already seen panic buying on behalf of consumers and it is important that we take a lead in reassuring the public and our customers by providing the latest information quickly and accurately. Therefore, we would like to hear from members and understand exactly what is happening ‘on the ground’. Our aim is to maintain the flow of information to the government and to the media from those at the coal face of the logistics sector, whilst gathering vital information from the field to encourage best practice and find opportunities for collaboration and cooperation within our membership and the wider logistics industry.   As usual, our logistics industry will play a vital role in keeping the economy working through this difficult period

• Membership of UKWA – finally, looking forward, it is likely that this pandemic will drive customers to look for proof of standards in their suppliers, and your membership of UKWA as a ‘kitemark’ of quality will prove more important than ever. On your behalf we will continue to highlight the benefits of using a UKWA accredited logistics service provider.

We will continue to keep members updated and share important information as it becomes available.  Stay safe and well, and if you require any additional support from UKWA over the coming weeks, please don’t hesitate to contact us.