Italian tyre maker Pirelli is preparing for a gradual return to activity at its factories on 4 May, starting off with a lower production level, due to the current reduced demand.
The plan, it says, is aimed at ensuring the maximum protection of employees’ health and workplace safety, which has been the company’s priority from the beginning of the Covid-19 emergency.
In order to guarantee adequate protection from the risk of Covid-19 infection, Pirelli is collaborating with the University of Milan directed by Professor Massimo Galli, to validate, with scientific criteria, the operating procedures adopted and to define a healthcare protocol with screening examinations, for preventative purposes, for its employees.
The recommencement of industrial activities will happen gradually: at the Settimo Torinese plant production levels will be reduced in light of lower demand. At the Bollate location – the plant that will focus on the Velo business – only essential activities will recommence in May with a very small number of employees present. In addition, Bollate will subsequently begin the production of facemasks, exclusively for employees and their families, thus enabling the company to eliminate the potential risk of shortages from third party suppliers and consequent suspension of industrial activities.
In Italy, in particular, the guidelines of the plan have already been shared with unions and add to, and reinforce, the various measures defined in the national Protocols undersigned by union organizations and employers’ associations.