Around 500 have returned to work at Rauma shipyard after stricter safety arrangements were adopted – random testing will begin next week

5.3.2021 Media releases

Production is resuming gradually at Rauma Marine Constructions’ shipyard. Around 500 people had returned to work on Friday, 5 March. Earlier this week, authorities tested workers who were in the final stage of their quarantine at the shipyard’s parking area. Return to work after quarantine has only been possible for those who have been tested negative for COVID-19 and who share accommodation with a group where no new transmissions have been found. Everyone entering the shipyard is identified at the gate. Wearing a mask is compulsory, and those who do not adhere to this rule are sanctioned. Next week, RMC will begin random testing to detect possible infections early.

Production is resuming smoothly at Rauma shipyard. Around 500 people were back to work on Friday, 5 March. A smaller number of people will work at the shipyard on the weekend.

After mass testing conducted by the authorities earlier this week, only those who have been released from quarantine and have been tested negative for COVID-19 have been able to return to work. Jyrki Heinimaa, CEO & President of RMC is happy with the testing.

“Testing has been a success, and cooperation with our network partner companies and the authorities has been smooth. The network partner companies have followed our updated safety plan, dividing their employees into groups who share accommodation and commute together. This has been a significant help in tracking those who have been exposed to the virus and placing people in official quarantine.”

Strict scrutiny at the gate, random testing, sanctions for not wearing a mask

As the number of people working at the shipyard grows, RMC continues to focus on only allowing people in full health to come to work. Everyone entering the shipyard is identified at the gate, and random testing will soon begin. Wearing a mask is compulsory, and those who do not adhere to this rule are sanctioned.

“Our current policy is to stop everyone entering the shipyard at the gate and check if they are allowed to come to work,” says Heinimaa.

Next week, RMC will begin random testing for people arriving at the shipyard. The testing will be conducted on a weekly basis, and in addition to random testing, employees can also get tested on their own initiative. Masks need to be worn throughout the shipyard area, and the practice of wearing masks is being monitored more closely. A person not wearing a mask will be given a written warning and will be removed from the area for the rest of the day.

In accordance with RMC’s updated safety plan, the employees of the network companies have been divided into smaller teams concerning accommodation, commuting, and work at the shipyard. If a person in the shipyard area shows even slight symptoms suggestive of a coronavirus infection, the person and the people belonging to his or her team and others in the work area are immediately directed out of the shipyard area for examination by the health authorities. Employees are also encouraged to get tested in their free time at first sign of symptoms.

Since the beginning of the corona pandemic, RMC has had security measures in place in accordance with official guidelines, which have been tightened due to the outbreak of infections in February. RMC continuously monitors the functioning of its updated safety plan and takes additional measures immediately if necessary.