Operations Update — Adjusted Production Schedule and Safety Protocols
In light of the ongoing public health emergency and the operational restrictions issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, East Coast Precast, LLC is publishing this update to inform customers, subcontractors, and delivery partners about our current operating status and the adjustments we have made to our production and delivery procedures at the Amelia plant.
Operating status
East Coast Precast is continuing to operate. Under Virginia Executive Order Number 55, issued March 30, 2020, businesses that are part of the construction supply chain are designated as essential and are permitted to remain in operation subject to public health guidance. As a structural precast concrete manufacturer supplying commercial, industrial, and residential projects that are themselves in active construction, our plant qualifies under this designation.
Production has continued without interruption, though at an adjusted pace to accommodate the shift changes and cleaning protocols described below. Backlog work is being cast on schedule. New orders and quote requests are being handled normally by our estimating team.
Safety protocols in effect
The following measures are in place at the Amelia plant, effective as of Monday, April 6:
- Staggered shifts. Production crews have been split into two shifts with a ninety-minute gap between them. This reduces the number of workers in the plant at any one time and allows for cleaning of shared equipment between shifts.
- Personal protective equipment. Face coverings are required inside the plant and in the yard for all employees, contractors, and visitors. Standard PPE for our operations (hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, high-visibility vests, steel-toe footwear) remains required.
- Health screening. All employees complete a brief temperature and symptom screening at the start of each shift. Any employee reporting symptoms is sent home with pay for the shift and directed to consult a healthcare provider.
- Enhanced disinfection. High-touch surfaces — door handles, forklift and crane controls, batch plant panels, break room tables — are disinfected at each shift change and again at end of day. The break room is limited to four occupants at a time.
- Contactless delivery. Deliveries to job sites are being coordinated with the receiving contractor by phone before arrival. Bills of lading are signed by the driver and photographed rather than handed off. Job site foremen review the shipment via the photo and confirm receipt by phone or text.
Impact on schedules
Customers with active orders should expect no change to previously committed production or delivery dates. Where the staggered shift arrangement affects an aggressive turnaround, our production manager will contact the customer directly to review options. New orders taken after April 8 are being scheduled against the current adjusted capacity and quoted lead times reflect that.
Contact
For questions about a specific order or delivery, contact our estimating and dispatch office at 1-866-524-3820. For general questions about our operating status, John Cotton is reachable at john.cotton@eastcoastprecast.com. We will publish further updates on this page as circumstances change.