Fiat Chrysler Automobiles plans on reopening its manufacturing plants on May 18—exactly two months after closing them due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When workers return to produce the Ram 1500 in Sterling Heights, Mich., there will be myriad new safeguards in place to keep employees from spreading or contracting the novel coronavirus.

These policies and best practices, based on World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommendations, include:

• Cleaning and disinfecting:More than 57 million square feet of manufacturing floor space cleaned and disinfected
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting schedules developed for common and high traffic areas, including turnstiles, restrooms, cafeterias, locker rooms and conference rooms
• 135 hand-held foggers distributed for more efficient cleaning of these areas
• Provided cleaning supplies at all workstations so surfaces can be cleaned and disinfected
• Installed more than 2,000 hand sanitizer stations across all facilities
• Daily audits to be conducted to ensure new standards are followed

Social distancing:

• More than 17,000 workstations analyzed and evaluated for adherence to six-foot social distancing guidelines
• More than 4,700 job areas and workstations redesigned or protective barriers installed to allow for more social distancing
• Installed plexiglass partitions and created visual management guides for social distancing in break areas and cafeterias, as well as throughout all buildings
• Staggered start times and added time to breaks and lunch to minimize large gatherings
• Suspended meetings of more than eight employees at a time and transitioned to virtual meetings, wherever possible
• Put new approval protocols in place for facility visitors

“Above everything else, our top priority has always been to do what is right for our employees,” Mike Manley, FCA CEO, said. “We have worked closely with the unions to establish protocols that will ensure our employees feel safe at work and that every step possible has been taken to protect them.

FCA will be providing face masks, as personal masks are prohibited. Self-screenings will also be required, which will involve daily temperature readings within two hours of starting their shift (with  personal thermometer or FCA-provided reusable temperature strips) and taking a questionnaire before entering the plant.

Return to Work packets were emailed to 47,000 U.S. and Canadian employees, who will also receive small-group training on the first day back, while Mexican workers will receive the information via in-person communication.

“We have taken a ‘belt and suspenders’ approach to mitigating the spread of this virus by implementing lots of layers of protection,” said Scott Garberding, FCA's Global Chief Manufacturing Officer. “You are a key part of successfully resuming operations. In this new environment, we all need to take responsibility for our own safety and that of the people around us. An effective start-up will require detailed understanding, teaching, coaching and patience from all of us.”

Restarting production for the Ram 1500 was made even more crucial as pickups outpaced passenger car sales for the first time in history, according to The Detroit News. This appears at least partly driven by incentives to counteract the crippling economic effects of COVID-19, which allow buyers to receive 0% APR for 72 months and delay monthly payments for 120 days.

An FCA spokesperson said that currently, "Most Ram dealers are carrying a good selection of vehicles in stock."