Inside Jaguar’s factory after bid to keep it safe from coronavirus
A HUGE step-change is about to take place at Jaguar Land Rover, with random temperature checks using thermal imaging equipment set to become part of working life.
In order to guard against Covid19, automotive manufacturer bosses have “painstakingly reviewed every process and every area” of the site in order to protect staff as production restarts.
JLR factory workers - known as associates - with two high temperature readings will be sent home and given NHS contact as they could be infected with the virus.
PPE will be worn at certain production line areas, when social distancing cannot be observed. Visors or masks will be made available to every employee if they need them.
Bespoke hand sanitiser has been produced on site in 100ml refillable bottles.
While safe seats next to screens have been installed in communal areas along with “enhanced” cleaning routines.
Over a thousand signs reminding staff about social distancing have been put up. While 2m markers line floors and one-way system walkways have been introduced around the 300-acre site.
The factory was set to reopen on a single shift with 2,000 employees returning from Monday.
JLR’S message is for associates to “Stay Safe, Be Kind, Stay Well.”
We took a look at a number of preventative measures undertaken taken by the car giant.
Thermal imaging cameras: This is one of 20 thermal imaging cameras currently on site which can read a temperature of a JLR worker almost instantaneously.
Government guidelines currently state that symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature of 37.8C or above.
Staff will be systematically tested as part of JLR’S “overarching approach to protecting employees.”
There will be “random testing” at all areas of the site - not just as people enter.
But the first action for any visitor into reception would also be to scan their temperature.
“The Government suggests people monitor their temperature at home and we’re encouraging people to do the same thing as well,” said Rich Baker, the corporate affairs manager for Soilhull.
“As a society, as a country, a nation and a global community the only way we’re going to beat this virus is if we have a cultural responsibility and accountability.
“We’re encouraging all our employees to take ownership that if you’re protecting yourself you’re protecting others.”
Adrian Price, the trim and final technology manager at Solihull, said if someone did positively test for a high temperate then they would be moved into a safe area and be retested. If on a second test the associate is still reading a high temp then the employee would be advised to return home to self-isolate.
Help would also be given for NHS contact to ensure they get the best follow-up care should it be needed.
Factory made sanitisers: Hundreds of litres of bespoke hand sanitiser has been produced at the Solihull factory.
It was the combined creation of the estate management team and paint shop.
Refillable bottles will be handed out to employees during and meet and greet sessions by team leaders.
“It’s important we provide hand sanitiser to all of our employees as much of it is about additional reassurance for people,” said Mr Baker.
“Primarily we are asking people wash their hands, but when it’s not possible, for what ever reason, to use sanitiser.
“One of the challenges we faced initially was the supply chain as everyone in the world wanted hand sanitiser at the same time.
“We worked in partnership with our own chief medical officer and followed the guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to produce our own bespoke hand sanitiser.
“It will be given to everyone as they return to work.”
The 100ml bottles are deliberately sized so they can fit into people’s pockets.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Visors will be worn by staff where social distancing cannot be carried out in the assembly halls, body and paint shops.
Up to 4,000 visors will be in place at the Solihull site for a start up in the week ahead.
A three tier system has been implemented to assess PPE use in the factory:
Green processes - Processes that can adhere to social distancing would not require Ppeamber processes.
Processes where changes have been made for social distancing, like the layout or process flow, would not require PPERED processes.
Processes where 2m social distancing cannot be implemented would be compulsory to wear Ppeassociates would wear a visor for “red processes”, however, every worker is being offered PPE by the manufacturer.
“What we’re doing is offering every associate the opportunity to have PPE if it makes them feel more reassured in completing their process,” said Mr Price.
“We are advising wearing the visor as the best form of PPE. We do have face masks if a preferred option.”
JLR visors have also been produced to support the NHS with production currently ramped up to 15,000 per week.
In the assembly halls there are over 800 different jobs associates carry out, there are 6,000 model combinations going through processes and 2,800 components that would be fitted to each vehicle.
Cleaning of communal areas and handrails has been “enhanced.” While doors are now propped open, unless it’s a safety door, to mitigate handle transmission risks.
JLR said measures have been “like mobilising a small town, which put people at the centre to both protect and reassure them in what are uncertain and strange times for everybody.”
Contractors, suppliers and any visitors will be given PPE at JLR. They will also watch a safety video, which have been updated to include the Covid-19 guidelines before they are escorted around site by staff members.
Social distancing: There are 900 MDF dividers which split chairs and tables at rest areas to ensure social distancing is maintained.
Manufacturing manager Nigel Van Ommeren said they have also been painted to allow them to be sanitised.
“There is a physical divider on a table,” he said. “Even if you stand up you can’t see the associate who is either by you or on the opposite side of you.”
JLR have been “resourceful and creative” and used materials they had freely available on site.
“It’s a huge undertaking to implement this level of protection of one site, let alone all of them,” added Mr Price.
“We try to use materials and resources which are readily available on site rather than spending millions on custom made solutions which we might need to change in a week or two.”
Entrances have 2m distance markers on the ground.
The bottom floor of the JLR multistorey car park will only be used for a social distance queuing system to the turnstiles.
Yellow crosses marked out on the floor showing distancing in the reception area.
Easily recognisable and memorable signage has been created all over the site to help people remember to all the guidance supplied by the Government.
Certain walkways have also been turned into a one-way system.
Communication: JLR have been communicating with their employees in the recent weeks of lockdown.
They have sent surveys to discover the employee’s fitness and their ability to return to work, which includes any childcare issues.
“We’ve done a whole process of identifying employees and selecting them. It is also about health and safety and what they can expect when they return to work,” said Mr Baker.
“What their responsibilities are, what our responsibilities are and how we are going to work and learn together to adapt how we work to make things safe for people.
“We want employees to feel safe, help them feel reassured and when they come back to work help them understand that they are working as one team to get JLR started and build great vehicles safely.”