Management teams at the Pueblo and Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plants continue to work to reduce risk to the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our motto at PCAPP has been ‘stand up, mask up,’” said Ken Harrawood, project manager, Bechtel Pueblo Team. “Observance of personal safety behavior and decision-making is the most effective way to limit the spread of this virus.”

On Nov. 18, the PCAPP team reinstated remote work policies, which allowed on-site office staff to telework to the extent possible. Plant-wide, a culture of mask-wearing and adherence to COVID safety measures has been established. The workforce adhered to these policies during the plant’s changeover to destroy 105mm projectiles.

Managers at the Blue Grass site developed a hotline employees can call regarding symptoms and conditions, for reporting purposes or with questions. More than 900 employees have used the hotline, which is credited with restricting the spread of the virus at the site through contact tracing and quarantine instruction.

“We have found BGCAPP’s COVID-19 protocols to be effective and that the positive cases have not been generated from the work environment,” said Ron Hink, project manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “We are preparing the plant for the next campaign and since some people do have to be at the site for proficiency training and changeover work, we are working hard to ensure all protocols are followed for worker protection.”

At both sites, standard safety procedures have been in place since March, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides ongoing guidance. Site-specific COVID-19 responses have been developed at the Pueblo and Blue Grass plants.