Auto plants increasing COVID-19 safety protocols
FCA workers to return for first time since pandemic shut factory down March 18
Returning to Windsor Assembly Plant next week for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic idled the factory March 18, autoworkers are going to be confronted with a new work environment.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles outlined Tuesday just how different the workplace will be by releasing a detailed look at safety protocols it has implemented in collaboration with Unifor and the United Auto Workers unions.
“We have worked closely with the unions to establish protocols that will ensure our employees feel safe at work and that every step possible has been taken to protect them,” FCA CEO Mike Manley said. “We have drawn on our collective global expertise and best practices to rethink our production processes to put in place comprehensive protocols to keep our workforce safe. There is no question that coming to work will look and feel different.”
FCA resumes production at its Canadian assembly plants in Windsor and Brampton May 19. Its U.S. operations will restart May 18.
Most noticeable to workers will be the company’s changes around social distancing, staggered start times and extended breaks to minimize large gatherings.
FCA analyzed 17,000 workstations and has redesigned or installed protective barriers or Plexiglas walls for 4,700 of those positions, including at Windsor Assembly. Visual guides, such as footprints on the floor, will also help direct traffic through the plant.
FCA has mailed out 47,000 packages outlining all the new safety protocols to its workers. Employees will participate in small-group training sessions outlining the changes on their first day back to work.
“It’s impressive all the changes they’ve made,” said Unifor Local 444 president Dave Cassidy, who got a preview tour of the Windsor plant Friday.
“There are still going to be concerns among the members, but I think people will appreciate what they’ve tried to do.
“It’s been a collaborative effort with the company. They know they need us.”
In designing its restart plans, FCA also consulted with World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and is drawing on its experience in recently restarting plants in China and Italy.
Among the other actions taken are:
Disinfecting 57-million square feet of production floor space.
Thorough daily cleaning schedules to maintain enhanced levels of cleanliness.
Temperature checks and daily health self-screening required for all employees and visitors.
Installing thermal imaging cameras as an added safety check.
Masks and safety glasses to be required personal protection equipment.
“We have taken a ‘belt and suspenders’ approach to mitigating the spread of this virus by implementing lots of layers of protection,” said Scott Garberding, FCA’S global chief manufacturing officer.
“In this new environment, we all need to take responsibility for our own safety and that of the people around us. An effective start-up will require detailed understanding, teaching, coaching and patience from all of us.”
The company will also require all employees and visitors to complete a daily health-risk assessment. Visitors must bring their own personal protective equipment to gain entry to FCA facilities.
To maintain sanitized standards, FCA is increasing janitorial services for common areas, entry points and workstations.
Those include the use of handheld sanitizing foggers, cleaning supplies at workstations, hand sanitizing stations and daily audits to ensure protocols are maintained.
Ten minutes per shift will be dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting workstations.
Unifor Local 200 president John D’agnolo, who represents workers at Windsor’s two Ford engine plants, said his membership will see similar measures taken in their workplaces.
“The automakers have worked together on this and it’s very detailed,” D’agnolo said. “Ford is doing the exact same things (as FCA).
“There are lots of things people are going to have to get used to. There are definitely big changes.
“They’re doing everything they can.”