PSA is to resume gradual production at its Ellesmere Port facility from 17 August.
“As industrial activity is driven by commercial activity, we are gradually and safely resuming our industrial activity at Ellesmere Port on 17 August,” said PSA manufacturing EVP, Yann Vincent.
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“I would particularly like to praise the contribution of the Ellesmere Port employees, who have supported the ramp-up of the production of Luton plant with a temporary transfer. This is a strong illustration that, together with Unite the Union, we have succeeded to protect both our employees and our operations in the UK in the difficult context of the Covid-19 crisis.”
For his part, Ellesmere Port director, Mark Noble added: “Our strengthened health procedures provide a high level of protection to our employees and this is the first consideration for restarting our manufacturing sites. Since the shutdown of the site on 17 March, a reinforced Health & Safety Barrier protocol has been implemented in the plant with the full involvement of Unite the Union.
“This fully complies with the standards set by both PSA and also the UK government. This Health & Safety Barrier protocol was validated by a Groupe PSA audit that took place on 24 April, 2020, which enables the resumption of production of the Astra on 17 August, in a progressive and safe manner.”
During its closure, the Ellesmere Port site has remained active and implemented a protocol of strengthened health measures. The protocol, approved by management, has been fully audited, in order to assess its implementation. Production will now resume at the Ellesmere Port site on 17 August.
The protocol comprises more than 100 measures covering all the company’s activities at industrial, administrative, R&D and commercial level. For example, the protocol, specifically developed for industrial sites, requires daily checking of employees’ temperatures, in addition to their self-monitoring of symptoms.
The wearing of glasses or goggles on site is also supplemented by a daily individual supply of masks, and respecting safe distances between people. Measures include break areas with markings on the floor, keeping doors open (except fire doors) to avoid contact with handles, frequent cleaning of tools and work surfaces, waiting time when exchanging unprepared parts in a PSA (hand to hand) environment.
Measures implemented:
- Use wherever possible of individual transport. For carpooling and public transport, provision of masks and predefined filling rule (staggered placement from the back of the bus)
- Temperature check at the entrance to the site, in addition to symptom self-monitoring file
- Individual supply of masks and hydro alcoholic gel
- Wearing glasses/goggles and masks on site
- Respect for a distance between people throughout the site, including rest areas, smoking areas with floor markings
- Keep doors open (except fire doors) to avoid contact with the handles
- Frequent cleaning of tools and work surfaces
- Waiting time during any exchange of parts not prepared in the PSA environment
- Adjustment of rotations between teams’ shifts to avoid crossovers
