Wood processing businesses adopt 'three-on-site' model to keep production on track

The measure compels companies to deploy their whole force, both human and financial, in order to not only maintain production but also to calm hundreds of employees.

“Turn-on” “three-on-sites” mode for layer-based management

On July 28, BIFA hosted a webinar on knowledge exchange among association members in the field of three on-site model adoption.

Le Phuoc Tan, Director of Hanh Phuc Wood Co., Ltd. (Happy Furniture), posted a photo of the whole business "activating" the "three on-site" mode, which entails tight control measures according to layers, with production areas, housing, rest, and hygiene spaces for employees separated and kept cool.

“We installed 55 facilities for about 300 employees, with an average of six persons per restroom. Additionally, we erected three levels of fencing to safeguard the factory, the eating area, and the employees' rest areas, according to the discipline of "nobody in, nobody out." We all undergo short testing, PCR tests, and some individuals are tested up to five times prior to being placed in production according to the "three on-site" model," Tan said.

He said that his company continues to operate under the three-on-site model despite its high expense since an interruption of the production line and unemployment would result in the severance of many social connections.

Pham Hong Phuoc, Director of An Khang Furniture Business, had a similar sentiment, stating that during the start of the pandemic wave, the neighborhood imposed a blockage on the manufacturing area due to an F0 case, forcing the company to halt activities for the period. Following the blockage, the firm began production on the three on-site plan.

As we enter the tenth day of applying the model, the An Khang Furniture Company's output remains steady. The business performed random employee screenings on a frequent basis. "If further testing this weekend reveals no additional suspected instances, the business will enter a safe green zone," Phuoc added.

Enhancing business leaders' accountability

Indeed, companies discover that implementing a three-on-site model is not a simple job, requiring seamless and flexible collaboration in direction and administration, as well as a plan for maintaining the ecosystem supporting production.

For instance, Lam Viet Joint Stock Company has been using the approach since late June 2021, when many community illnesses were discovered in Tan Uyen town. Lam Viet has already completed more than four weeks of three on-site implementations for over 700 workers.

Lam Viet conducts a quick test on all employees to ensure their safety; divides groups by work area, with each group led by a squad leader; schedules meal and cleaning shifts one hour apart to avoid congestion; constructs field restrooms for 10-15 people; separates bathing and washing areas; divides men's and women's quarters. The eating and resting facilities for employees are provided with internet and other modern conveniences. Employees who remain at the Company get four meals each day and VND500,000 per month in stipends (in addition to salary).

According to the Binh Duong Furniture Association's (BIFA) preliminary report, the Association presently has 37 companies operating under the three-on-sites model and 19 enterprises temporarily halting operations in accordance with Directive 16. 

According to government statistics, as of July 25, more than 3,700 businesses employing 390,000 people in Binh Duong either allowed employees to remain at work or arranged for them to stay in one location and be picked up and dropped off daily.

Binh Duong, which has 1.2 million manufacturing employees spread over 29 industrial parks and 12 industrial complexes, has identified more than 8,800 Covid-19 cases in the current wave that began three months ago in Vietnam. 2,000 of them were manufacturing employees.