Safety measures unveiled as JCB production resumes

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Safety measures unveiled as JCB production resumes: JCB today announced a partial re-starting of production at five of its UK factories as a comprehensive package of safety measures is rolled out to protect employees in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis.

British production lines fell silent on March 18 and the vast majority of JCB’s 6,500 UK employees have been furloughed since April. Today JCB has confirmed that low levels of production are resuming – with a far-reaching package of safety measures introduced to fully protect employees. These include:
·        Employees to self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms before leaving home
·        Temperature checks overseen by medical staff for every employee arriving for work
·        Issuing of surgical masks to office and shop floor employees
·        Provision of visors for shop floor employees for extra protection
·        Introduction of thermal imaging cameras at UK plants later this month
·        Widespread provision of hand sanitiser
·        Clearly-marked walkways and a reduction in office desks to maximise social distancing
·        Closure of canteen facilities and vending machines and suspension of car sharing schemes
·        Disabling of lavatory hand dryers in favour of paper towels
·        Working from home for employees where at all possible

Safety measures unveiled as JCB production resumes

Safety measures unveiled as JCB production resumes

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “Production has resumed at a very low level, mainly to satisfy demand for agricultural machinery. Ahead of this re-start, an exhaustive review was undertaken to enable us to introduce wide-ranging measures that will best protect our employees.  The actions we have taken ensure that safe distancing between employees on-site can be achieved at all times. In circumstances where risks are greater, additional protective visors are being provided. The health and safety of our employees is absolutely paramount as we all adjust to this new normal and the measures we have put in place will ensure we all stay healthy and avoid risks.”

The Loadall division at the World HQ, Rocester, Staffordshire,  JCB Earthmovers and JCB Landpower in Cheadle, Staffordshire have resumed production along with  JCB Transmissions in Wrexham and JCB Cab Systems at Uttoxeter. The move means a return to work for more than 400 employees

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Overseeding transformed for Kelso GC

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Overseeding transformed for Kelso GC: A BLEC Multi-Seeder has improved both the speed and accuracy of overseeding at Scotland’s Kelso Golf Club.

With just Head Greenkeeper James Balmbro and an apprentice to maintain the 18-hole parkland course, the Multi-Seeder has improved the efficiency of their greens seeding programme, with a noticeable improvement in results.

Overseeding transformed for Kelso GC

Overseeding transformed for Kelso GC

Situated within the confines of Kelso racecourse in the Scottish Borders, overseeding is traditionally carried out twice a year across all of the club’s 18 greens. “Our manpower and available budget mean we focus on overseeding following both the spring and autumn renovation season” explains James, who has been at Kelso GC for five years. “Previously, we would simply broadcast seed by hand, or with a spreader, so it was important for us to find a way of making the process and end result more effective, to deliver the results we wanted to achieve.”

The BLEC Multi-Seeder features two, spiked ring rollers to saturate fine turf and amenity type areas with up to 1500 holes per square metre, ready to accept the seed. Re-engineered under the guidance of Redexim, it features a new seed ratio and seed feed system that offers the user incredibly accurate distribution for all seed types. “We’ve used some ultra-fine dwarf ryegrass in the latest operation, but have also had bent and fescue seed running through the Multi-Seeder without a problem. Within just 7-10 days, you can see the seed germinating from the dimple holes – the difference in the uptake we’ve achieved has been massive.”

“It’s a fantastic piece of kit that’s super easy to set up and adjust; so user-friendly in fact I’ve had our apprentice out there using it and he loves it! For us as a small greens team, operations all come down to time so the fact we can attach the unit straight to the tractor’s 3-point linkage and go, is great. We can get all of the greens done in one day with the Multi-Seeder and all without causing any disruption to the surface.”

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Interview greenkeeper Gary Cook

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Interview greenkeeper Gary Cook: Gary Cook, the head greenkeeper at Enmore Park Golf Club, admits that he is a fortunate man, writes Richard Walsh.

“I am lucky to be doing something that I always wanted to do and enjoy doing it as well, so I am very fortunate,” he says.

Interview greenkeeper Gary Cook

Interview greenkeeper Gary Cook

Cook was born into a golfing family in Scotland, as he explained: “My father played golf and where we were living near Glasgow I grew up next to a golf course.

“I started playing when I was seven or eight and enjoyed everything about it.

“I just loved that environment and that’s how it all came about.”

So how does he come to find himself at Enmore?

“We were looking for a change of environment and so started looking, and the vacancy at Enmore Park came up.

“I was lucky enough to get it – and 26 years on I am still here, so it’s all worked out pretty well for us.

“We settled in and love everything about the area. Somerset’s a lovely county and has got such a lot to offer.”

Under Cook’s watch of more than a quarter of a century there have been a number of changes at Enmore.

“Since I have been here the course has developed and a lot of the trees have matured and are starting to make a difference,” he said.

“The thing about the golf course is that it’s ongoing and always developing, so never finished.

“There is always something to be done and something that you want to do – that’s the beauty of what I’m lucky enough to be doing.”

“I just loved that environment and that’s how it all came about.”

So how does he come to find himself at Enmore?

“We were looking for a change of environment and so started looking, and the vacancy at Enmore Park came up.

“I was lucky enough to get it – and 26 years on I am still here, so it’s all worked out pretty well for us.

“We settled in and love everything about the area. Somerset’s a lovely county and has got such a lot to offer.”

Under Cook’s watch of more than a quarter of a century there have been a number of changes at Enmore.

“Since I have been here the course has developed and a lot of the trees have matured and are starting to make a difference,” he said.

“The thing about the golf course is that it’s ongoing and always developing, so never finished.

“There is always something to be done and something that you want to do – that’s the beauty of what I’m lucky enough to be doing.”

What had been the highlight of his time at Enmore?

“When I look back I think that when we had the English Ladies here was the highlight because it gave us championship status – the first here and a great accolade for the club.”

What difference had the coronavirus lockdown made to his job?

“I think the biggest difference is that we are maintaining the surfaces rather than preparing them.

“We are here to maintain Enmore as a golf course so that when it does re-open again it is still here.

“We are running with a smaller staff just to keep on top of the cutting.

“We are not allowed to start anything new; the only construction projects you can work on are those that were started before the lockdown.”

When the lockdown is lifted and golf can re-commence, how long would it be before Enmore members could start to play again?

“We could open as a golf course within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead but, to get things back to where we would normally like to be, it will take us a couple of weeks.

“I’m looking forward to getting the members back onto the golf course again and enjoying themselves.”

Gary is a keen golfer himself, currently playing off a handicap of four, and he added: “That’s the lowest that I have ever been but of course the challenge is always to try to get lower.

“We all want it to be lower and in my case it’s not for lack of trying!”

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