Apple’s 2020 Supplier Report Specifies Safety Changes Due To COVID-19

Apple recently released its 2020 Supplier Responsibility Progress Report and this time around it includes lots of safety changes to protect employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“From the outset, we worked with our suppliers to develop and execute a plan that puts the health of people first,” Apple’s Senior Vice President of Operations Sabih Khan said in a letter at the beginning of the report. “Thousands of Apple employees have worked tirelessly to execute that plan in partnership with our suppliers around the world.”

Some of the safety changes that Apple is making include “health screenings, limiting density, and ensuring strict implementation of social distancing” in their facilities. They are also going to implement “enhanced deep cleaning protocols”, make the use of personal protective equipment essential both at work and in common areas, as well as make sure masks and sanitizers are available to workers. To top all of that, they will also be changing the factory floor plans and have flexible working hours for maximum interpersonal space between workers. And let’s not forget that back in April Apple CEO Tim Cook said that once employees return to the offices, they will most likely implement temperature checks and maintain social distancing.

Several US states, such as Idaho, South Carolina, Alabama, and Alaska, are already reopening their retail stores and are required to take temperature tests and wear masks.

“While COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge, we’ve also drawn hope and inspiration from humanity’s renewed focus on the health of our colleagues, friends, and neighbors,” said Sabih Khan. “That consciousness — of our health and the health of others — is something we can always carry with us.