Indian stainless steel product manufacturer, Ambica Steels, has taken all the necessary safety measures and put an employee action framework in place before resuming operations post lifting of lockdown. Provisions have also been made by its COVID-19 task force, for regular awareness drives focussing on preventive measures.
A team comprising HR, administrative officers, and other team members has been put together to closely monitor and ensure social distancing, regular screening, sanitisation and use of disinfectants in the premises.
In keeping with social distancing norms, only 50 per cent of the staff will be present in office at all times. Staff will be working in shifts and also follow different lunch times. Overlapping of working hours will be avoided and the premises will be disinfected between shifts. The production unit will follow shorter shifts.
All those entering and leaving the premises will undergo mandatory thermal screening. Use of tobacco, gutka, and pan have been prohibited. All employees will be required to use the Aarogya Setu App and maintain social distancing. Entry and exit logs as well as CCTV recordings will be maintained for each individual.
Sanitisers will be provided to employees at all key locations and touchpoints. Vehicles and machinery will be allowed to enter only after disinfection.
Wearing of masks will be mandatory for everyone during work hours. Gloves will be provided to security guards, pantry and canteen staff, and housekeeping staff.
A standard employee action framework has been issued laying down eight steps to be followed.
1. Employees have been directed to check their temperature and fill in a health check sheet before leaving the house for work. They have been mandated to wear a mask and also carry an extra one, along with a hand sanitiser. Even after reaching home, they will have to sanitise themselves, bathe and put their used clothes for wash.
2. While use of public transport is discouraged, the company bus capacity has been reduced to 30 to 40 per cent, and social distancing while boarding and de-boarding the bus will be ensured. Car pooling has been banned for employees and private vehicles have to be disinfected and sanitised daily.
3. Staff will have to stand in a queue with two-metre distancing before entering the office premises and undergo thermal check. Anyone showing even the slightest deviation from the normal temperature will be isolated, made to undergo medical checkup and accordingly quarantined or sent home. Face-recognition biometrics will be used to register attendance at the gate.
4. On the shop floor, employees will have to wear caps, helmets and masks during work hours. Their tools and equipment will be sanitised before use.
5. Personal hygiene and strict social distancing will be adhered to. Staff will not be permitted to stand in groups even during breaks.
6.The canteen will offer limited food options and follow staggered timings. Staff will enter and leave via different doors.
7. Physical meetings are discouraged and sharing of food and snacks is not permitted. Employees have been directed to use ‘namaste’ instead of shaking hands to greet each other.
8. Employees are encouraged to use shopping bags, while purchasing groceries and essentials, and make payments using digital means.
