Honda North America officials said Friday the company will gradually resume automobile, engine and transmission production at its plants in the U.S. and Canada beginning Monday, May 11, following a seven-week shutdown period that began March 23 related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While resuming production, Honda will stagger the start-up at each plant, with most plants using the first day to ensure that front-line leaders are trained on new procedures and activities related to coronavirus prevention, representatives said.
The return to work includes associates employed at the following local facilities: the Marysville and East Liberty auto plants, the Performance Manufacturing Center at Marysville, Honda Transmission Mfg. at Russells Point and the Anna Engine Plant.
Prior to resuming production, associates will learn about the new safety measures and re-train on work processes after the period of suspended production, officials said.
Additionally, all furloughed business operations staff outside of California resume work Monday, May 11. Honda will continue to maximize opportunities for associates to work remotely, while practicing social distancing for associates performing essential roles that require them to work at Honda facilities.
While the specific measures and policies will vary based on company and location, Honda is focused on the health and safety of associates throughout the time of the pandemic. This includes a variety of initiatives intended to protect health and safety and to achieve social distancing.
Health and safety measures include:
• Temperature scanning – All Honda associates, suppliers, contractors and visitors will undergo a temperature scan and will not be allowed inside Honda facilities with a temperature of 100-degrees or higher.
• Masks and cloth face coverings – As an added precaution, Honda is requiring the use of masks or cloth face coverings at all times inside all buildings except when eating or drinking. Honda plants and offices will provide one new mask per day for every associate.
• Face shields – Honda will require associates to wear face shields in certain areas of the manufacturing plants as an added precaution.
• Cleaning and disinfecting – Honda has increased cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing activities throughout its operations, along with providing cleaning supplies in common areas for use by associates.
Social distancing measures include:
• Staggered shift start times – To reduce the amount of people entering and leaving plants at one time.
• Staggered lunch and break times – Changes made to seating arrangements in cafeterias and made additional rooms available for lunch.
• Production processes – Each plant is adjusting processes and workstations to achieve social distancing on the production line.
• Capacity changes – Common areas such as restrooms and locker rooms will limit capacity to maximize social distance.
• Increased signage – All facilities have increased signage to remind associates of social distancing requirements, CDC guidelines for good hygiene and other helpful safety and health information.