To ensure its workers’ safety regarding the virus, PSA created a new work protocol that includes body temperature checks, masks for everyone, and the cleaning and disinfection of tools and work surfaces every hour /Belga/AFP
After shutting down all its European industrial sites due to the coronavirus outbreak and the government lockdown that ensued, the French car-manufacturing group, PSA, prepares to reopen some plants with a specific reinforced work protocol designed to ensure the workforce’s safety regarding the virus.
“We won’t make any compromise on the health of our employees so that the industrial restart necessary to the sustainability of the company can be carried out under optimal conditions,” declared Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the executive board of the PSA group, in a press release.
Safety first
Ten days ago, PSA closed all its European industrial sites due to the government-issued lockdown. The industrial shutdown was supposed to last until March 27th. Last Wednesday, management presented the unions with a reinforced protocol created in partnership with medical teams and designed for a safe and gradual return to work.
This new plan includes body temperature checks, masks for everyone, cleaning and disinfection of tools and work surfaces every hour, 30-minute spread between successive teams, and double the number of coaches to transport employees.
‘Only after epidemic peak’
PSA is trying to restart its industrial machine to avoid using any temporary unemployment measures and prevent the company from requiring any aid from the authorities. Unions yet have to greenlight the new protocol.
“As of today, and taking into account health information at our disposal, the resumption of activity can only be considered after the epidemic peak has passed,” writes FO, the group’s major union, in a press release.
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