Despite the epidemic, Seagate remains in full production. We are following a number of strict guidelines for our workers safety and our customers’ health. Some of these steps listed below may be suggestions for you to use if you have a small business, other guidelines may also be applicable to your personal life.
Preparation of dried olive leaves that were cut to size for Olive Leaf Mint Tea production
Seagate has continued operations because all of our products fall under the “essential industry” categories: Foods, supplements, medicines/natural remedies, and surface cleaners. We operate farms, fishing boats and a factory in Ensenada, Baja California along with our main office and shipping warehouse in San Diego, California.
So far we have been fortunate that no one working for us has contracted the virus. However, the steps that we have taken in both locations have contributed to the lowering of the risk for infection:
San Diego warehouse/office/shipping
The office/warehouse remains under lock down to any visitor other than our employees.
Mail deliveries are sprayed with disinfectant and are kept in quarantine for 24 hours.
UPS deliveries are sprayed with bleach and quarantined for 24 hours.
UPS drivers and mailmen can only deliver and pick-up at our back door.
Pallet deliveries are sprayed with a bleach solution and then are left to dry outside the warehouse.
Employees who feel any symptoms of being sick are told to remain home without penalty.
Social activities of every person outside of work are reviewed each week. Those that are not isolating and using personal protective gear while out in public (food shopping) are given temporary leave with pay.
Hand washing, sanitizing sprays, office wipe-downs occur throughout the day.
Ensenada factory and farms
Non-employees are prohibited from entering the plant. Visitors are received and communicated with by video camera/intercom at the office entrance door.
Employees who have children in any sort of day care facility or school are not allowed to return to work during the epidemic. Employees with a social life that goes beyond an occasional trip to the food market, are also not admitted. No one is docked any pay. Each employee is interviewed every week about their outside activities and use of personal protective gear while in public. If anyone is found not to be in full compliance, they are sent home.
Raw materials received into the plant are put into isolation for 1 week.
Employees are well-separated within the factory; there is approx. 500 sq. ft. of space per each worker.
Employees use personal protective gear within the plant, wash hands regularly, and use hand sanitizing stations.
The factory maintains a high rate of airflow from windows, 20+ feet above floor level.
So far this system has worked.