2 Sisters elected to suspend operations at the plant for two weeks, after more than 200 members of staff – of 560 employed at the factory – tested positive for COVID-19.
Reportedly one of the largest employers in the area, 2 Sisters worked closely with the Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, the Health and Safety Executive, Anglesey County Council, the Food Standards Agency and trade union Unite to ensure the safety of its workers.
The first step
A spokesman for the poultry processor said: “Swiftly closing our factory was only the first step in doing this and over the past two weeks we have left no stone unturned in our pursuit of ‘best in class’ Covid-19 measures.
“While it is far too early to say how and why the virus spread, at this stage we are leaving no room for doubt by briefing our people, starting Friday, on the new measures and how every single person should take personal responsibility for their own behaviours.”
Limited production at the site followed a full briefing of colleagues on the range of control measures now in place to manage the various risks associated with the novel coronavirus.
COVID-19 control measures
This included full standardised COVID-19 awareness training for all colleagues before production recommences, slotted visors to be replaced with full face visors for every colleague, staggered break times and existing screening supplemented with full ‘opposite’ and ‘side-by-side’ screening. A full list can be found below.
“We also realise there will be colleagues who have tested positive and may believe this provides them with some level of immunity,” the spokesman added.
“The reality is that we don’t know this to be true, so our teams will be making sure everyone knows we all have a shared responsibility to protect each of us and our wider community from any further outbreak.
Meanwhile, Unite said it had received reports of more suspected coronavirus outbreaks at meat processing factories and told Food Manufacture that, while the outbreaks were not confirmed, concerns had been raised at more than five sites.
COVID-19 control measures
- Full standardised Covid-19 awareness training for all colleagues before production recommences
- Slotted visors to be replaced with full face visors for every colleague
- Full staggered shift starts in all areas
- Each shift group managed as a ‘bubble’ at all times
- All shifts staggered break and lunch times
- Existing screening supplemented with full ‘opposite’ and ‘side-by-side’ screening
- Further canteen extension
- Existing social distancing in canteen supplemented by table screening dividers on all tables
- Extension of smoking area
- CCTV surveillance of all potential high traffic areas, including smoking area
- Increase in number of Covid-19 marshals
- Bespoke isolation/rest room
- All car sharers to be issued with wipes
