Tamil Nadu comes out with SOP for restarting industries – Times of India

CHENNAI: The state government on Sunday issued a detailed note on standard operating procedures (SOP) to be followed while restarting industries, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and construction work across the state from May 6. As per the SOP, workplaces should have thermal scanners to screen workers at entry and exit points, premises must be disinfected twice a day and companies must arrange for doctors’ visit or ensure they are available on call at all times.
The state government on Saturday allowed industrial establishments in special economic zones, export oriented units, IT and IT enabled services, hardware manufacturers, spinning mills, textile units and other industries to resume production. It also allowed construction activities to resume, with certain riders.
Workplace sanitisation, masks a must
According to the order issued by chief secretary K Shanmugam on Sunday, industrial units should not allow employees from containment zones to work and they should also ensure that only medically fit employees with no co-morbid conditions are engaged for work. “All employees must wear their company identity cards at all times and everyone should wear mask before stepping out of their homes,” it said.
On medical facilities, the order said all workplaces employing up to 200 people should ensure doctors are available on call; workplaces employing between 200-1,000 people must ensure visit of local doctor once every two days; and firms that employ more than 1,000 must have an arrangement with their nearest hospital for medical treatment of their employees, and ensure a doctor visits the workplace every day.
Companies should arrange for special transportation of employees. “These vehicles should carry passengers at 50% capacity. Disinfectants/ sanitizers must be used during entry and exit into the vehicles,” the SOP said.
Work premises must be disinfected and cleaned twice a day, especially surfaces frequently touched. To avoid gathering of workers, workplaces shall have a gap of 30 minutes between each shift with exception to continuous process units.
The standard operative procedure also said that if a person tests positive for Covid-19, deputy director of health services should be informed and close contacts should be placed under quarantine. “The work area needs to be disinfected for three days and can be put back into use,” it said.
For construction activities, it issued additional operative procedures asking contractors or builders to make arrangements for hand sanitisation and ensuring staggered lunch breaks. “List of hospitals authorised to treat Covid-19 should be identified and available at work place at all times,” it said. It also banned use of gutka and tobacco and spitting at construction sites.

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