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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 sanitise their hands before and after commuting, and work,

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 the parking bays are staggered to maintain distancing. 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

“People 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.” perform daily temperature know the physical and

getting the country going again. I feel very confident about the return to work.”

Aftab Gaffar, 51, MD of Bru coffee and gelato in Leicester, Cardiff, Walthamstow and Harrow is putting staff safety first.

“We’ve changed the layout of our stores, moving the till, display cases and gelato fridges to keep everyone safe,” says Aftab. “Customers queue two metres apart, only one person is allowed in at a time and delivery drivers have a segregated area.”

Aftab (above) is determined to keep his staff safe. “They have a daily health check sign-in sheet, we’ve got extra cleaning stations in stores and are using additional PPE, including disposable aprons and face masks.”

Will Docker, MD of St Andrewsbased farm shop Balgove Larder says he’s taking special measures to look after staff.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard to keep up with the regulation on social distancing, clean-downs and hand-washing,” says Will. “The key is to reiterate the guidance.”

Balgove Larder has been able to open more of its business after closing its café and focusing instead on deliveries.

Its farm shop now has taped areas for social distancing and Perspex screens at tills. “It’s all about making our employees and our customers feel safe and comfortable,” says Will.