Jamshedpur, June 26: In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tata Steel is exercising extreme caution and is taking all steps to ensure good health and safety of its employees. The company has identified frontline employees including contract workforce who have higher exposure risk and has made all arrangements to enable proactive COVID-19 testing protocols for them at TMH Jamshedpur.
Tata Bridgital COVID Safety Services (TBCSS) is offering the service as a pilot in Tata Steel. TBCSS has brought together Tata group expertise to help Tata group companies to effectively deal with COVID-19 risks. TBCSS is focused on helping organisations to plan a methodology whereby they have a safe and secure work environment.
�A combination of Antibody and RT-PCR tests will be done so as to understand the disease dynamics.� Further strategy will be decided based on the results.
Speaking about the initiative, Sanjiv Paul, vice president, safety, health & sustainability said: �Tata Steel follows a robust management system framework and a sound safety governance structure that drives its health and safety measures. We have been closely following and coordinating with the government authorities and relevant health institutions and have updated our measures to reduce COVID-19 risks to our employees. This initiative is a step to consolidate our effort to mitigate the pandemic of COVID 19.�
R Ravi Prasad, president, Tata Workers� Union said: �As a frontline worker out at work every day, one can�t be at risk or pose a risk to others. I am happy to note that Tata Steel has taken such a proactive step to protect the frontline workers from the risk of COVID-19 pandemic.�
In the pilot phase, 6256 frontline employees of Tata Steel at Jamshedpur have been identified for COVID-19 testing. The risk levels of the identified employees have been done basis their work profile, age, co-morbidity, recent travel history, close contact with COVID person, etc. Current scope covers employees and contract workforce across categories like canteen services and contractor cell, Medical Services, Corporate Social Responsibility, security and brand protection, mechanical maintenance and Occupational Health and Safety.
Tata Bridgital IT platform is being leveraged to deliver the services with the help of Bridgital Coordinators, who connect with the pre-registered Tata Steel employee identified for the service and provide information about TBCSS.� The platform features include providing a one-stop source of information for workforce members, proactive monitoring, and contact tracing, among others.