Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Ford begins phased production with enhanced safety protocols

Home Front Page News Ford begins phased production with enhanced safety protocols

Ford has implemented a phased restart for its South African operations beginning 01 June, including restarting vehicle and engine production and bringing back the first wave of employees that are not able to do their jobs remotely.
“We’ve been working intently with national government, our safety and medical teams, unions and our workforce to reopen our Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria and Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth,” says Ockert Berry, VP Operations, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA). 

“Since the beginning of April we have been producing protective face shields at the Silverton plant, and are using the lessons from this project, along with input from our global Ford teams, the Department of Health and our medical specialists to ensure we are taking the right precautions to help keep our workforce safe.”

The ramp-up process will be gradual as workers adjust to the new health and safety protocols, and the entire supply chain comes up to speed. Employees that are able to work remotely will continue to do so, including Ford’s administration, finance, sales and marketing staff. 
The staggered approach allows Ford to effectively implement new safety protocols and provide proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for all employees as they return to work.

“Our HR, medical, safety, engineering and facilities teams at both plants have used the past two weeks to fully prepare for our employees to safely return to work,” Berry adds. All workstations, equipment, offices and common areas have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and this will be repeated daily prior to each shift. Cleaning agents, disinfectants and hand sanitiser stations have been provided in all office spaces, production areas and meeting rooms to allow employees to maintain the necessary hygiene standards.
Additionally, social distancing measures have been implemented and demarcated throughout the facilities, offices and common areas to make it easy for employees to maintain the minimum 2-metre separation.

“We have also established dedicated Flu Clinics at both plants for employees or contractors that exhibit any cold or flu-like symptoms during working hours,” Berry explains. “The clinics are manned by specially trained medical staff to evaluate the person’s condition and advise if further testing or medical treatment is required. Should there be any confirmed COVID-19 cases at our plants, we have protocols in place for contact tracing, self-isolation, case reporting as well as intensive cleaning and disinfection procedures.”
To guide the workforce with the new health and safety protocols, Ford has compiled a comprehensive “Manufacturing Return to Work Playbook” to help protect its workforce, assembled using best practices and input from experts around the world. 

Ford dealers are also progressively ramping up their operations in line with government guidelines. Moving to Alert Level 3 restrictions from 1 June 2020, dealerships are able to operate with their full staff complement. Strict hygiene and social distancing requirements remain in place for all employees and customers, including the wearing of a face mask that covers the nose and mouth.
Employees will continue to be screened daily on arrival for work, and any person that is sick or has COVID-19 systems will be required to stay at home or contact their health practitioner. The dealership and all vehicles will be sanitised regularly, including before and after test drives or vehicle servicing. 
– Ford Motor Company SA