All,
It is May 4, 2020 and we continue our daily journey in the midst of a world-wide pandemic. I intend this as a positive statement. Consider all the uncertainty and fear we faced two months ago. We have navigated our way personally and as a company to elevate ourselves over and beyond what most of us thought we had in us. We should be proud of ourselves!
In addition, positive signs are becoming more noticeable. The rate of infections has been dropping. Our understanding of the coronavirus and our tools for combatting it have improved. The first drug was approved this past week in the US. States, including both GA and PA, have begun to gradually reopen certain segments with strict requirements in place.
These real signs of courage, hope and relief are a welcome sight.
At the same time, I must remind all of us to not get ahead of ourselves. For those working from home, I’m sure you want and need to get out. However, for those still coming to plant each day, we need to continue to minimize risk and keep to our protocols. There is still an ongoing global pandemic. TIA has not relaxed any of our protocols related to dealing with COVID-19 as the CDC and WHO have not relaxed any guidelines.
For now, we will keep these policies in place:
- All non-essential business related travel (mode of transportation does not matter) is restricted. Essential business travel must be pre-approved by me.
- All non-essential business visitors to our facilities are restricted.
- Work from home continues where possible and appropriate. If you need to come to the plant/office, you must get approval.
Also, I want to remind you again of the key protocols we must follow at the plant (see full guidelines which we have published and distributed):
- If you are sick, stay home
- If you have COVID-19 or symptoms, call your doctor and call HR
- If someone you have been around outside work has COVID-19 or was told to quarantine by a doctor, call HR
- Wear face covers to protect others.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
- Do not touch your face, mouth and eyes
- Do not eat without first washing your hands.
- Stay 6 feet apart from each other when talking, sitting and working together
- If a job task requires less than 6 feet separation and it cannot be done another way, ask your supervisor for approval and you will be instructed to use proper PPE during the task.
- Disinfect commonly used items, equipment, surfaces (soap and water disinfects too)
- Use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
We continue to monitor CDC, WHO, OSHA, local and state health department guidelines as they are issued, updated, ordered, etc. and we will adjust policies and protocols accordingly. Check our employee website http://52.188.109.27/ for updates.
I want to encourage you to keep up the great job you are doing to help us protect employees, their families, the community and keep TIA in the best position to weather this storm and recover as quickly as possible.
Respectfully,
Bob