AUBURN, Mich. (WXYZ) — As Fiat Chrysler Automobiles prepares to resume its North American manufacturing operations, the company has implemented "enhanced safety measures" to protect employees, their families and the surrounding communities from the spread of COVID-19 when the plants reopen.

This includes cleaning, disinfecting and social distancing, but most importantly, ensuring the wellness of everyone entering an FCA facility. With that in mind, the Company will require its employees, as well as all visitors, to complete a Daily Health Risk Assessment, which consists of:

• Taking their temperature less than two hours before reporting to work or visiting the site with either a Company-provided temperature strip or personal thermometer
• Completing a self-screening questionnaire and turning it in upon entry

Since closing its plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico on March 18, FCA says it has been working to put in place best practices that have enabled the restart of operations at its facilities in China and Italy.

Nearly 47,000 U.S. and Canadian employees received a Return to Work package in the mail, the automaker says. Mexico will share the same information through in-person training.

Fca Us Employee Rtw Packet ... by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd

As an added measure of safety, the Company is installing thermal imaging cameras to verify what employees and visitors have self-reported.

Consistent with the direction of governmental agencies, employees will be required to wear company-provided masks and safety glasses at all times when in the facility. Employees will also be asked to wear gloves and safety glasses when applying or cleaning with disinfectant spray. Visitors and contractors to any FCA facility will be required to provide their own personal protection equipment for entry.

During the production pause, FCA says it completed a number of cleaning and social distancing activities to prepare its facilities for when operations resume. These include:

• Cleaning and Disinfecting:
  • More than 57 million square feet of manufacturing floor space cleaned and disinfected
  • Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting schedules developed for common and high traffic areas, including turnstiles, restrooms, cafeterias, locker rooms and conference rooms
  • 135 hand-held foggers distributed for more efficient cleaning of these areas
  • Provided cleaning supplies at all workstations so surfaces can be cleaned and disinfected
  • Installed more than 2,000 hand sanitizer stations across all facilities
  • Daily audits to be conducted to ensure new standards are followed

• Social Distancing:
  • More than 17,000 workstations analyzed and evaluated for adherence to six-foot social distancing guidelines
  • More than 4,700 job areas and workstations redesigned or protective barriers installed to allow for more social distancing
  • Installed plexiglass partitions and created visual management guides for social distancing in break areas and cafeterias, as well as throughout all buildings
  • Staggered start times and added time to breaks and lunch to minimize large gatherings
  • Suspended meetings of more than eight employees at a time and transitioned to virtual meetings, wherever possible
  • Put new approval protocols in place for facility visitors

Upon the restart of production, FCA is adopting a new level of daily cleaning and disinfecting, in accordance with WHO, CDC and OSHA recommendations, at all manufacturing locations in order to maintain the enhanced levels of cleanliness and sanitation. In addition to increasing the number of times per shift that high-traffic, high-use areas, as well as common touchpoints, are cleaned and disinfected, 10 minutes per shift will be dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting employee workstations.

FCA says it will continue to monitor and audit conditions at all facilities, as well as the latest information on COVID-19 from federal and state agencies, to implement new safeguards and procedures as needed.

Fast Facts:

• Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) laser focused on protecting employees, families and communities
• Best practices from FCA plants in China and Italy helping guide North American safety protocols
• More than 57 million square feet of production floor cleaned and disinfected
• Thorough daily cleaning schedules to be instituted to maintain enhanced levels of cleanliness and disinfection
• Temperature checks and daily health self-screening required for all employees and visitors
• Nearly 17,000 workstations analyzed for social distancing with more than 4,700 requiring redesign or modification
• Staggered start times, increased break and lunch times implemented to increase social distancing
• Installing thermal imaging cameras as added safety check
• Masks and safety glasses to be required personal protection equipment
• New safety protocols and procedures communicated in Return to Work package mailed to nearly 47,000 represented employees in the U.S. and Canada

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