COVID-19 WORKING POLICY

Robert Mackie of Scotland is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and the wider community and as such we are setting out the following COVID-19 Working Policy for all employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy is not exhaustive. It will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary or superseded by any local or Government guidelines as and when they become available. This policy must be acknowledged and followed by all members of staff. Failure to follow these practices may result in disciplinary action.

Employees are reminded that they should not leave home if they or someone they live with has a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loss of taste or smell. It is very important that individuals with symptoms that may be due to COVID-19 and their household members stay at home and self isolate. Staying at home will help control the spread of the virus to friends, the wider community, and particularly the most vulnerable.

Those with symptoms and living alone should remain at home for 14 days after the onset of their symptoms. This will reduce the risk of infecting others. If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19, then household members must stay at home and not leave their house for 14 days. You should not go out even to buy food or other essentials, and any exercise should be taken within your home. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in your house became ill.

COVID Detection:

1. If an employee displays any of the key symptoms of COVID-19 (loss of taste, smell, high temp, continual new cough) they must not attend work, self-isolate for 10 days and book a COVID test. If the test is negative but the key symptoms persist they should still isolate and book another test.

2. If a member of an employee’s household shows the key symptoms the employee should self-isolate for 10 days and book a COVID-19 test.

3. If a member of an employee’s household is ill with non-COVID-19 symptoms the employee does not need to isolate, even if they decide to get a test – unless there is a strong possibility, they may have COVID-19 and the test comes back positive.

4. If an employee or a member of their household has been in close contact with someone who subsequently tests positive for COVID-19 they should isolate and arrange a test as soon as possible. (Close contact is defined as less than 2 metres apart for more that 15mins without a face covering.)

5. If an employee or a member of an employee’s household has had a COVID-19 test the employee should always wait for their results before returning to work.

6. If an employee is unable to attend work they should follow the normal procedure and phone work within two hours of their normal starting time.

7. The Company will provide self-administered COVID-19 test kits to employees who feel they are at risk of having COVID-19 in the workplace – tests will only be issued by a Team Manager following a discussion with the employee requesting the test.

8. Following a COVID-19 test result we would encourage all employees to share the official result letter / e mail / text message with their team manager in order to validate they are fit for work if negative, or to establish when they will be available to return in the event of a positive result.

9. The Company has the right to request employees not to attend work if there is reason to believe that there is a risk to other employees.

General Working Practices for all:

1. Employees must inform their Supervisor/Manager if they have an existing health condition which could put them at greater risk.

2. The Company is firm that from 6/10/20 all staff must wear a face covering when entering the building and it should remain on until you reach your designated office or workstation. If an employee needs to leave their office or workstation then a face covering must be worn, this will include, but is not limited to, going to the bathroom, entering the canteen, moving to a different workstation and during any communication with other employees. Robert Mackie will provide PPE in the form of gloves and face masks to those employees who request them but it is every employee’s responsibility to ensure that they either make this request or bring their own suitable face covering to work each day.  

3. Hand sanitizer will be readily available throughout the premise. Employees should sanitize their hands at the beginning and end of every break, when they arrive at work and before they leave.

4. Employees should comply with the social distancing measures and stay 2 metres apart where possible even if wearing a face covering. All employees should stay at their own workstations and restrict their movements in the factory as much as possible. This includes when travelling, entering and leaving work and at break times. Employees going outside at break times should also stay 2 metres apart from each other.

5. Employees are permitted to spend break times at their work stations to avoid gatherings in the canteen area. Product should be cleared from the workstations and the workstation cleaned down after breaks prior to resuming work.

6. Where practical to do so, a one-way system will be implemented to minimise the risk of people passing by each other.

7. All internal doors shall remain open to reduce surface contact.

8. Toilets:

a.      Female toilets in the factory will be limited to two persons at a time.

b.      Male toilets in the factory will be limited to one person at a time.

c.      Office toilets will be available for employees to use if required.

9. Canteen use will be restricted to four people at any one time; this will only be to access the kettle, fridge and microwave. No employees are permitted to spend their break time in the canteen. Any persons in the canteen should comply with social distancing, this will be monitored and if not being complied with the facilities may be withdrawn. If required the Company will introduce three time slots per break to minimise congestion.

10. Employees should clock in as normal whilst maintaining a 2-metre distance from other people.

11. Clocking out at the end of the day will be suspended for the time being. Employees should still clock out and in at break times if leaving the premises or at any other time during the day.

12. Employees should only use their own equipment, including measuring tapes, scissors, pens, computers, telephone etc.

13. Employees should use the bins provided for disposal of PPE.

14. Only one person is authorised to be in the loft area at a time.

15. All employees will have their temperature checked daily using a non-contact measuring device.

All Offices: 

1. There will be no access to the main office for anyone except office staff, cleaners and employees using the office canteen. Staff in offices must maintain the 2-metre gap where possible.

2. Any request for yarn or technical information, labels, stationary etc. should be emailed to the relevant person.

3. Tables will be situated outside the main office with items requested left on them and the person requesting will be notified of their availability to collect including items printed.

4. If a meeting is required this will take place in the showroom with no more than 3 people in attendance and a 2-metre gap must be maintained. 

5. If computers/telephones have to be used by another employee they should be wiped down with disinfectant wipes before and after use.  

6. Samples to be reviewed/photographed or dispatched are to be left in the showroom.

7. Only a maximum of 2 people will be allowed in the Technical office at any time. Technicians should only work on computers that are furthest away from each other.

8. Clear Desk Policy – desks in all offices are to be cleared each evening so entire work surfaces can be cleaned properly.

9. Visitors are to be greeted in reception with the glass partition closed. An employee in the office will sign the visitor in and take them to the showroom.  The visitor will be signed out by the employee when leaving.

Production:

1. Requests for yarn should be made in writing using the yarn requisition form.

2. Knitting machine operators should ensure that they maintain a 2-metre distance from each other and should not work directly opposite or next to each other.

3. Work stations will be allocated to employees that are at least 2 metres apart.

4. Any goods that have been examined or are for washing, overlocking, darning or ends pulling in should be left in the designated areas only.

5. Any goods coming in or going out that would require two persons to lift should be put on a pallet and the fork lift used. Social distancing should be maintained when dispatching or receiving goods.

6. The fork lift truck should be wiped down with disinfectant wipes before each use.

Visitors:

All visitors to Robert Mackie must comply with the Company’s COVID policy and must wear a face covering whilst in the building. If they do not have a face covering with them, the Company shall provide one. Visitors may also be asked to take a lateral flow test prior to arriving. If this is required then they will be given adequate notice of this requirement.

1. All visitors will have their temperature checked on arrival: on seeing a visitor entering reception, the staff member available will put on a mask and open the window. The visitor will be asked to use the hand sanitizer in the reception and checked that they have a a face covering, if not then one will be given to them. They will be advised that their temperature will be taken as per the COVID-19 Working Policy prior to them entering the building.  If their temperature is 38° or higher the visitor will be asked to leave the premises, if not the staff member will proceed with taking their details.

2. A member of staff will take the visitors’ details and fill in the visitors book to prevent contamination of paper / pens.

3. Whilst a visitor is in reception getting their details and temperature taken no employees should pass through reception to exit the building – another exit should be used.

4. Visitors will then be shown straight into the showroom: both the staff member and visitors should refrain from hand shaking or any other physical greeting & should comply with current social distancing guidelines. Staff members may offer refreshments to visitors with any food items being individually wrapped.

5. The relevant member of staff (host employee) the visitor is in the building to see will then be informed they have arrived and are waiting in the showroom for them.

6. If visitors are required to be on the factory floor then the host employee should remain with them at all times if required, or if not, inform visitors how to contact them. Visitors should also be informed of the hand sanitising stations throughout the factory and encouraged to use them frequently.

7. Whilst in the building, visitors should be discouraged from using the bathroom unless absolutely necessary.

Robert Mackie will endeavour to work together with our employees to help and support them through these times. We will listen to any concerns raised to ensure everyone feels safe and secure in their working environment. We would ask our employees to be patient and courteous to others and be understanding towards individual concerns irrespective of their own views. We welcome suggestions and feedback and would ask our employees to support each other and the Company to ensure we not only survive this unprecedented situation but emerge all the stronger for it.

You are reminded that each individual employee is also responsible for their own health and safety and of those they come in contact with.

30 August 2021