(Photo from pyrotek.com).
This is a press release from Cortland County Clerk of the Legislature Eric Mulvihill.
Pyrotek management at the Cortland, New York, facility learned on April 11th, that two employees tested positive for COVID-19. For the safety of employees, Pyrotek immediately ceased operations at the manufacturing facility.
Plant Manager Thomas Howard says operations will not resume until Pyrotek can ensure the safety of its employees. The company is continuing to follow all U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and those of local health authorities.
“Unfortunately for our employees and their families, these positive tests results occurred, despite all of our work implementing the CDC guidelines,” Howard says.
Any individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms have been asked to self-quarantine.
“We hope we can return to full operations as soon as possible so we can continue in our role as an essential manufacturer,’” Howard says. “Our products help make vital items made from aluminum like ventilators and N-95 masks, along with food, beverage, and drug packaging.”
Prior to this announcement, Pyrotek had already implemented several measures in accordance with guidelines from the USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including:
- Social Distancing. Pyrotek spreads people out over two shifts to try to increase distancing wherever possible.
- Increased daily cleaning, and provided extra sanitizer for personal hygiene.
- Those people who are sick are being instructed not to come to the plant and to stay home if they think they have symptoms related to COVID-19.
In coordination with local health authorities, and in consideration of new guidance by CDC, Pyrotek will also adopt the following additional measures to protect our employees before reopening the facility:
- Daily confirmation, by every individual, that they have no symptoms prior to entering the facility.
- Touch-free temperature screening for some individuals.
- Cloth or surgical masks suggested for all people entering the plant, and required for those who are returning to work after having COVID-19 symptoms.
