[Auto] ŠKODA AUTO resumed production on 27 April, while implementing strict measures to protect employees

[Mindsphere.]

 

 

Starting Monday, April 27, ŠKODA AUTO will resume production of cars at its three factories in the Czech Republic

›The main priority remains the maximum protection of employees from coronavirus infection

›Over 80 mandatory precautionary rules are in place to prevent infection of employees at work

›The protection program includes concrete measures to protect the health of employees, as well as changes introduced in this regard in the company's work processes. 

 

In order to optimally protect employees against coronavirus infection, the car manufacturer has developed and approved a whole series of detailed measures for all areas of its activity. Together with its social partner, the KOVO trade union, ŠKODA has defined over 80 concrete measures that include both specific steps to ensure the health of employees and organizational measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

Bernhard Maier, Chairman of the Board of ŠKODA, said: “Production at the three Czech manufacturing units has been suspended since March 18, 2020. It was the right decision to implement such a drastic measure to ensure everyone's health. But now it's time to look ahead with great optimism. ŠKODA dealerships are gradually opening up in Europe and, by resuming production, we are already taking the next important step towards restoring our ability to deliver cars internationally. I thank all the members of the team who worked hard in the last days and weeks to make it possible to restart production. The ŠKODA team is extremely motivated and eager to resume its work. ”

Michael Oeljeklaus, Member of the ŠKODA AUTO Board of Directors, responsible for Production and Logistics, added: “Throughout the period when the factories were closed, we focused our full attention on the preparations for the resumption of production. In addition to securing our supply chains, we have also analyzed the viable possibilities for our employees who come to work from abroad. ”

Bohdan Wojnar, Board Member ŠKODA AUTO, Head of Human Resources, explained: “In recent weeks we have been working closely with our social partner KOVO to develop our“ Safe Production ”and“ Safe Office ”programs. These are reflected in the introduction of more than 80 effective precautions applicable to all departments and production units, as well as offices, in order to protect our employees in the best possible way once the activity resumes. "

This list sti[CENSORED]tes, for example, that all employees must wear a mask when entering the factory area. It is also valid for external collaborators. ŠKODA AUTO will provide all colleagues with the necessary masks, which must be worn while employees are at work. Each shift now has additional time reserved for cleaning tools, phones and keyboards, as well as all materials and surfaces. Also, all areas will be cleaned and disinfected more frequently than before.

ŠKODA AUTO has also made some changes to its day-to-day operations to protect employees. These include changing the way the means of transport used for transfers work, as well as adapting the working procedures for the factory gates, as well as the way of recording the timesheet.

At the same time, measures have been taken to ensure that production employees work in smaller, constantly formed teams. Shift exchange briefings will be as short as possible and more areas have been made available for breaks so that contact between employees is kept to a minimum in order to minimize the risk of infection.

Employees are encouraged to work from home, if possible, and the number of people present in the same office at the same time has been reduced, to ensure the possibility of keeping a safe distance between people. It is also important for staff to take consecutive breaks to protect employees' health as much as possible.

In addition to these precautions, general prevention measures and hygiene recommendations are implemented, such as giving up helping others, washing hands regularly or disinfecting hands, and avoiding touching the face with the hand.

The precautions to be taken once production resumes are divided into 3 stages. Pending the communication of other instructions, stage 1 will be applicable, which provides for the full application of all measures. In stage 2, it will be possible to abandon some of these prevention measures.

Stage 3 will allow other relaxations implemented gradually, over an extended period of time, under conditions of maximum responsibility, so as to ensure the safety of staff. At the appropriate time, the completion of the third phase will allow the resumption of normal operations and the lifting of all restrictions, such as those providing for a ban on visitor access.

ŠKODA AUTO informs its employees about the protection measures applicable to all its units in the Czech Republic, using brochures and posters, as well as digital channels, including short information videos. Managers will also familiarize their teams them on specific prevention measures, applicable in their departments.