REHAU UK has confirmed that it has begun a phased return to work at its Blaenau Ffestiniog windows profile manufacturing site.
Fears over the risk to workers were raised back in March and the facility ceased production on March 26 as a result of the UK Government’s lockdown, with only essential employees, such as security, on the site.
Now a reduced number of workers will start to return to the site this week to meet current customer demand.
They have implemented an 11 step plan to help keep workers safe.
Martin Hitchin, Chief Executive of REHAU UK, said: "The first tranche of employees returned to work on Monday 1st June.
"This decision was taken after extensive consultation between the UK management team, health and safety experts and our employees - and only after a full risk assessment and ‘return-to-work’ plan was devised and implemented.”
He added: "Our over-riding priority is the safety of everyone on the site. We believe, with our Safe Site plan in place, it will be safe to begin a phased return-to-work, but we intend to closely monitor the health and well-being of our employees during this process.”
Workers have been given a "Safe Site" booklet and advised not to be car share.
These are the 11 measures brought in:
1. A full risk assessment has been conducted throughout the site.
2. Safe Site working guidance and procedures have been issued to all
colleagues.
3. Visible signage at all entrances to remind employees of restrictions on the
site.
4. Temperature recording of each employee upon arrival each day.
5. A Safe Site induction on the first day for each returning employee.
6. One-way system into and around the building.
7. Limits on the numbers of people in any specific area at any one time.
8. Two-metre physical distancing within the plant and face masks to be worn
at all times.
9. Handwashing and sanitising to be encouraged throughout the day.
10. Cleaning operatives on duty all day for the continual cleaning of surfaces
and facilities.
11. All machinery and equipment cleaned and sanitised after use.
Mr Hitchin added: “We’ve had a very good response to our plans from customers, suppliers and, most importantly, employees who are, in the main, keen to get back to work and resume their normal working lives.”
