Building on its commitment to provide a safe and healthful workplace for all employees and other interested parties, Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation (MVC) Iligan Plant has developed and implemented a protocol for the prevention and control of the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The components of the protocol, which has since been upgraded to Level II with supplemental measures, include the following:
- Individual Health Assessment Checklist – Prior to entry to the plant, everyone is required to submit a filled-out checklist every Monday and Thursday detailing their health condition, i.e. cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, colds, etc., and whether they have visited places with COVID-19 cases.
- Temperature Monitoring – Before boarding the service bus/vehicle, all are required to have their temperature taken by the designated Guard on Duty.
- Provision of Isolation Room – Individual decontaminated room is provided, along with PPE, for those who are exhibiting signs or symptoms of the disease.
- Sanitizing Foot Bath – These contain 0.1% Sodium Hypochlorite and are placed at entry points of buildings and main gates.
- Hygiene and Sanitation – Personnel are mandated to wash their hands at the hand washing station near the first gate. Hand sanitizers/alcohol dispensers are strategically placed in and around offices and buildings.
- Disinfection Program – High-touch surfaces such as tables, chairs, doors and telephones are disinfected with 0.015% Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) by employees every three hours. Ultraviolet (UV) lamp boxes are also provided for disinfection of cash and documents. Areas with high foot traffic, including service vehicles, are disinfected frequently with HOCl.
- Demisting Tent – Before entering the first gate, everyone is sprayed with 0.015% HOCl solution inside a tent.
- No Mask, No Entry – Face masks are required before entering plant premises and offices.
- Physical Distancing – One meter distance from person to person is implemented. Inside the service vehicle, a one-seat-apart arrangement is maintained. The number of persons in each room is also limited, and areas are identified for transacting business to avoid face-to-face contact. Plastic barriers have also been erected for those areas with frequent transactions.
To further aid the implementation of these measures, hygiene kits containing face mask, alcohol, face shield, vitamins, soap, and contact numbers in case of COVID-19 related emergencies were given to each employee. One (1) gallon of Sodium Hypochlorite was also distributed for personal use. Moreover, medicine packs containing paracetamol, carbocisteine, phenylpropanolamine, loperamide, and vitamins good for 14 days were also prepared in the event that an employee is identified as a “Person Under Investigation” (PUI).
These precautionary measures will not be effective without the support of every MVC employee. The fight against COVID-19 is a long, treacherous road, but with everyone’s full cooperation, we will be able to overcome this crisis as one MVC and one nation.
