BREMERTON, Washington –
Today Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility began asking employees as they enter the shipyard if they have completed their daily COVID-19 self-assessment.
Teams of volunteers, managers and supervisors are now stationed at all gates into the Controlled Industrial Area. The team members, who wear personal protective equipment, ask all employees entering through the gates if they have completed their daily COVID-19 self-assessments, and if they have answered “yes” to any of the questions.
Employees who indicate that they have not completed their self-assessment before coming to work are asked the questions by one of the team members staffing the gates.
Individuals who decline to answer the questions, or who answer “yes” to any of the questions, will not be allowed to access the CIA.
“Those who are turned away are given information as to why they were denied entry, and are instructed to contact their supervisor,” said Scott Elliot, Lifting and Handling director, Code 700, and a key-player in the development of PSNS & IMF’s gate screenings. “Individuals are also given an option to be further screened at the Naval Hospital.”
This back-up screening effort will continue at all open gates, 24/7. Due to the staffing needed, Decatur Gate will only be open from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Burwell Turnstiles will only be open from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other turnstiles will be open 24/7. All turnstiles will remain open for exiting the shipyard, 24/7.
Worker/Driver bus drivers also began their own medical screening of personnel today, using questions from the self-health assessment. If someone answers yes to any of the questions, or refuses to comply, they will not be allowed to board the bus. If a passenger has answered yes to any of the questions, or refuses to comply, they will not be allowed to board the bus and will be given PSNS contact information.
Since mid-March, PSNS & IMF has asked all employees to complete COVID-19 self-assessments before coming into work. The added gate screening measure was added to ensure that all employees are partaking in the self-assessments.
“The safety and wellbeing of every employee is the top priority of this command, and the Navy,” said Mark Johnson, Environment, Safety and Health director, Code 106. “We are continually breaking new ground and covering new territory (with regard to safety). Watch out for one another, and stay safe.”