HEALTH and Safety is always of primary importance to us here at Grotech Production Ltd but never more so than in today’s current challenging climate.
With Covid 19 turning life as we know it upside down, it’s only fitting that the theme for the United Nation’s World Day for Safety & Health at Work this year should be ‘Stop the Pandemic’, focusing on addressing the outbreak of infectious diseases in the workplace.
We’ve seen from past experience that workplaces can be of vital importance in preventing and controlling outbreaks. Adequate health and safety measures at work can play a crucial role in containing the spread of the disease while protecting workers and the community at large.
As contract manufacturers and packers to many sectors key to combatting coronavirus or, in the case of farming and agriculture, ensuring we will have food on our tables in the months ahead, remaining operational throughout this pandemic has been important. But what has been equally essential is making sure our staff are properly protected. For that reason we have:
- Introduced a drop off point outside the factory gates for post and courier deliveries;
- Implemented new procedures for lorry drivers, collections and deliveries;
- Enabled the majority of office staff to work from home;
- Practising social distancing at all times including while working on the shopfloor.
- Made our own hand sanitizer which is also available to employees to take home.
- Introduced Fred, the Grotech Safety Bear, as a reminder to keep 2m separation. (see photo).
The World Day for Safety & Health at Work has been observed by the International Labour Organization since 2003 and is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work.
It promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally, focusing attention on the magnitude of the problem and how creating a safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work related deaths and injuries.
While Covid 19 isn’t an occupational disease as such, it is a virus that without proper controls could run rife through our workplaces. Just as we insist on the proper PPE being worn on our shop-floor be that ear protection or safety glasses, so we now need to remember to wash our hands at regular intervals for at least 20 seconds and keep two meters away from others.
As you mark World Day for Safety & Health at Work this year please stay safe.
