Sumitomo Dunlop takes swift action after ‘Covid-19 positive’ case in Ladysmith

After an employee tested positive for Covid-19 at Sumitomo Dunlop, the company released the following media statement…

We received confirmation from the La Verna Medical Centre in Ladysmith that an employee of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Sumitomo Dunlop) has been diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus.

The employee reported to work on Monday, May 11, for night shift. During the mandatory daily temperature screening, the employee did not exhibit or declare any symptoms. However, as the shift progressed, he felt ill, reported to the production manager and was referred to the site clinic. After a thorough examination, the nursing sister on duty referred him to the La Verna Medical Centre.

Operations started on Saturday, May 2, in high prevention mode at our factory in Ladysmith, and the sales and services sites are operating under strictly-controlled health and safety conditions to minimise the risk of coronavirus to our employees and their families.

Therefore, as soon as our colleague exhibited symptoms, we approached the matter with speed and took collective responsibility in ensuring safe transport to the medical centre via an ambulance service.

We are pleased that the latest report received from the doctor is that the concerned employee, while still in hospital, is doing better and is in good spirits.

We would like to commend our company doctor, Dr Sibiya, who has played an instrumental role in providing us with clear recommendations on equipment cleaning, quickly identifying those individuals who have been exposed, and the necessary steps required to ensure containment.

To that end, contact tracing has been done and all relevant employees have been self-quarantined, and are subsequently undergoing testing. We have also initiated disinfecting and sanitizing, with great care being taken to ensure that all hygiene protocols and activities are addressed for further prevention and detection in the factory. This is in addition to the current strict disinfecting and sanitizing protocols already implemented.

The factory will resume operations on Monday, May 18, once the disinfection process is completed.

In accordance with Occupational Health & Safety Measures in Workplaces, an investigation is currently being conducted, together with further preventative hygiene measures, as prescribed by the Directive. Furthermore, we have had invaluable support and advice over the last two weeks from the Department of Employment & Labour in our efforts to improve our Covid-19 Strategic Health & Hygiene protocols.

Since the incident, consultation and engagements with the Department of Employment & Labour and the Department of Health have taken place to ensure that all protocols are followed. Both departments have also been very proactive in their investigation and expressed satisfaction with our response and timing to the incident.

We are living in unprecedented times. Covid-19 is here to stay. Large-scale social and behavioural changes will be the best defence in tackling the virus.

• The public is advised to call the coronavirus hotline on 0800029999 with any suspected cases of corona, or to report or obtain information relevant to the pandemic.
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