Back to work How companies across the UK are following Government guidelines to make their workspaces safe for their valued staff to return

ockdown came at a bad time for Aston Martin’s St Athan plant – it only opened in December last year and staff were ramping up production on the new DBX when it had to close its doors.

But on May 5, 300 of the 500 staff at the South Wales car plant were able to get back to work. The company has followed Government guidelines on how to return to work safely, as well as implementing its own initiatives.

“Like most companies we’ve now instigated one-way systems,” says James Stephens, Director of Government and External Affairs. “There’s twometre spaces as you queue up at the staff entrance.”

Hand sanitisers are provided at the door and throughout the building, staff are issued with face masks and the canteen has adapted to only serve pre-packaged food. People are also encouraged to check their temperature before they go to work and stay home if they have any symptoms of the virus.

“Security and health and safety staff will take your temperature from a safe distance,” says James. If it’s high, staff are asked to sit to one side before being retested. “Some people might cycle to work and could have a slightly elevated temperature for that reason.”

The Government has issued advice for workplaces to reduce the risk of infection, including keeping staff in fixed teams, staying a safe distance apart and limiting face-to-face contact. Regular cleaning, increased hygiene, and floor markings are also advised.

Walking, cycling or getting to work by car is ideal, but if workers have to use public transport they should travel off peak, use contactless payment, wear a face covering and maintain a two-metre distance.

Staff should also wash or

In-house Occupational Health Nurse Norma McKibbin, 47, (right) reveals how she helped Belfastbased interior fit-out specialists Portview open their sites.

“Portview didn’t take the decision to open up lightly – it was a very well-informed, multidisciplinary

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want to work. Sitting at home on furlough isn’t a holiday, it’s fairly boring. So I think people were appreciative that we were making the effort.

“Wearing a mask all day isn’t great, and not something that people would choose to do, but they appreciate that it’s for their safety and that of their colleagues, too.”

approach,” she says. “We always recommend wearing face coverings to travel and being mindful of handwashing and to avoid travelling at peak times. Physical Distancing marshals are assigned to sign in contractors, as well as perform daily temperature know the physical and getting the country going again. I feel very confident about the return to work.”