Testing times for staff as virus fight goes on
Strict coronavirus testing is becoming the new norm for workers at some of the region’s biggest companies as the battle to curb infections continues.
Some have signed up for the NHS Test and Trace serial contact testing programme with others taking their own measures to reduce infections.
Jaguar Land Rover was among the first to get involved and is carrying out rapid testing trials across all its sites including the engine manufacturing centre at the i54 to the north of Wolverhampton.
As part of efforts to ensure a Covid-19-safe workplace it offers rapid tests for seven consecutive days to anyone identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive. If the result is negative, the person can continue to work rather than self-isolate for 10 days.
The rapid testing procedure has been developed in full partnership with the NHS. At Amazon’s Rugeley fulfilment centre, Covid-19 testing for employees was first made available on October 21 with trained clinicians on site overseeing the activity.
Amazon has established its own centre in Manchester to analyse results from its UK employees.
Chemicals manufacturers Robinson Brother, of Phoenix Street, West Bromwich, has decided against joining in a Public Health England testing scheme.
Managing director Adrian Hanrahan said it was “far too complicated” and expensive for a company of its scale. Instead Robinson, which employs 260, has bought 500 lateral flow tests and is beginning its own new internal testing programme.
It has had 46 people test positive since September but only four were on-site transmissions and there have been none of those since October.
Meanwhile Locks group ASSA ABLOY, which has a site in School Street, Willenhall, has also established its own measures including an internal track and trace process.
“At the outset of the pandemic the business immediately put together an executive committee, which included many heads of business, to develop our Covid-19 strategy,” said Black Country based Jamie Cooper, UK group environment, health and safety manager.
“As a business we developed our Covid-19 management from a reactive phase right through to where we are currently, which incorporates controls such as an internal track and trace process,” he explained.
In Staffordshire businesses and being offered the opportunity to take part in a rapid Covid-19 testing programme for their employees.
'Invaluable'
And one of Shropshire’s largest construction firms, Pave Aways, has a raft of measures in place including daily temperature checks before workers can come on site.
Steven Owen, who is managing director of the Knockin-based firm, said the company hadn’t been invited to take part in a council-run run testing programme but that he would welcome it.
“This would be especially useful in construction and in particular on refurbishment sites where air flows are restricted compared to new build sites.”
Healthcare provider Summerfield Healthcare is working with businesses across the county by supplying antigen testing to help protect their workforce and keep companies running during the pandemic.
David Edwards, sales manager at the Shrewsbury-based company, said: “Antigen testing is proving invaluable in the battle with Covid – helping firms keep staff safe and our new expanded service means the workforce of a large company can be tested regularly on-site with results known in just 15 minutes.
Summerfield Healthcare, which has private GP and minor surgery clinics in Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton, is working with various industries UK-wide.
In Staffordshire the county council is interested in involving businesses who have a medium to large number of employees who have access to occupational health services who can be trained to supervise the tests and have space to set-up testing locations.
Any interested businesses are asked to contact LFTEnquiries@staffordshire.gov.uk
