Our focus is to provide a work environment that is as safe as possible. Please find below a list of measures we have implemented to this end. We count on your ongoing support to keep everybody safe.  Please note that if you do not feel comfortable or safe returning to work at this time for reasons related to the virus, please notify your supervisor or manager immediately.  Your absence will not be held against you and you may take PTO to cover your absence or go unpaid.

Prior to the Order, we hired, in addition to our regular cleaning company, a second company to “deep clean” the plant.  The deep clean involved the use of a product called Sniper a non-harmful, biodegradable all-purpose cleaning and disinfectant for use on hard surfaces and textiles.  Since it is biodegradable, it is safe for all environments and situations.  This deep cleaning team has been on site throughout the shutdown and will continue in all common areas and offices.

As a next step, Jan Pro, came into the plant and used a product called EnviroShield.    EnviroShield is a spray disinfectant system that adds an electrostatic negative charge to the disinfecting solution, as it is applied, so that it surrounds and clings to the surfaces it touches, killing harmful bacteria. 

All offices and common areas, all production areas, including the BTC and BLC, were sprayed.  Upon returning to work, we will be focused on ensuring that all machinery and hard surfaces are cleaned before, during and the end of each shift as well as mandating and enforcing social distancing everywhere in the plant.

The common areas will continue to be cleaned by the cleaning crew and the cleaning of the production areas are the responsibility of the individuals that is explained fully in the training and expectations that we will be reviewing all employees before, during and that end of the shift.  We have provided disinfectant spray out on the production floor so operators can clean their workstations, as well as distributed more hand sanitizer dispensers on the floor. 

Several of the things that you will see immediately upon entering the plant will be the reduction in the number of tables and chairs in the breakrooms, and managers and supervisors will clock employees in and out so that employees do not have to touch the time clocks. Additionally, there are green lines on the floor in work areas to indicate 6-foot distances to maintain between operators, and red lines to indicate boundaries that you should not cross to maintain the 6-foot distance.

All employees entering and/or working in the plant will receive training on the expectations regarding social distancing and working in the plant under the requirements of the Order.  Further, each employee will receive a letter (2 copies) and an attachment that details our expectations.  Each employee is responsible to learn and understand the requirements and to confirm so by signing one of the copies and return it to their supervisor/manager. 

It is now be a requirement, while in the plant, to wear a mask or approved face covering.  The number of masks that we have is limited so we will be
instructing employees on how to wear and care for their mask to make them last.  We are working diligently every day to get more masks to the plant
for distribution.

Prior to coming to work each day, every employee is to take personable accountability and take their own temperature at home before coming into work. If you have a fever of 100.4º or more, we ask that you do not report to work and notify us.  Each employee’s health and safety is valuable to us. We are
asking that everyone do his or her part, and together, we can limit exposure to the virus. CDC considers a person to have a fever when s/he has a measured temperature of at least 100.4 °F [38 °C]: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/maritime/definitions-signs-symptoms-conditions-ill-travelers.html#:~:text=CDC%20considers%20a%20person%20to,F%20%5B38%20%C2%B0C%5D.

All employees are not to report to work until their start time and must leave immediately upon the end of their shift.  All shifts will end a half hour prior to the next shift starting.  Supervisors will inform all employees when the shift has ended.  It is imperative that immediately upon the end of the shift that you collect your belongings, wash your hands, remove and care for your mask and leave the premises.  Do not gather inside or outside of the building.  Proceed directly to your car or ride and go home.  Please remember that during the month of April, we all are still on a Stay at Home Order, which means that we honor that request when not working. 

We have established a COVID hotline and email address that you can call or email questions to, make suggestions for improvements or to report any unsafe actions or situations.  The phone number is 1-513-301-2311 and the email address is Covid19@bilsteinus.com.  When calling the phone number, please leave your question or suggestion along with your name and a number that we can call you back on and someone will get back to you as soon as possible if required.  If reporting an unsafe action or situation you may do so confidentially and are not required to leave your name. 

In order to keep all of our employees safe and healthy, we have instituted many new things to maintain a clean and safe environment, but we need every employee to do their part as well, by maintaining social distance from one another.  This is not only an expectation of continuing to work at BILSTEIN, but a mandated government-enforced order that we must follow in order to keep production running. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action and/or termination.  Please hold yourself and others accountable when it comes to safety and social distancing – it is not an option!  

If you have any questions that have not been answered on this page, please email questions here and someone from Leadership and/or HR will respond.