A MAJOR company has praised workplace coronavirus testing for enabling it to stay working and prospering through the pandemic.

WEC’s group health and safety manager Sean Connor said the process, in partnership Blackburn with Darwen Council, had boosted staff confidence, cut absence rates and increased morale.

The Darwen-based metal fabrication company, employing over 950 people across nine sites, started SMART workplace testing after an approach from the council with the army training staff.

Mr Connor spoke as the council’s public health director Professor Dominic Harrison urged all residents to take a Covid test saying: “The more testing we do, the more likely we are to turn round the current surge.”

Mr Connor,said: “We have worked through since the start of the pandemic. We have fabricated more than 10,000 ventilator trolleys and around 10,000 morgue tables.

“In the beginning, we were struggling on site when people had symptoms. People were scared. We fabricated our own foot-controlled hand sanitising machines and bought tests for those working in close contact.

“It’s allowed people to feel more confident in work. It’s been a very positive step and is an easy process to maintain. The asymptomatic tests are looking for evidence of the virus, even if people feel fine. Because we have people moving across the site, it gives people the reassurance it’s safe.

“At first it was time consuming because it was all new. Now we have learnt how to streamline everything the process is a lot quicker, and it helps us keep people in work.

“We carry out the testing on Mondays or Tuesdays following the weekend. It takes about two hours to do over 200 tests and it runs like clockwork. We call people by department, so it only takes a few minutes from their day. We also have tests available on the spur of the moment if anyone is showing any symptoms.

“You’re not just left alone once you sign up, you have the council’s ongoing support. Morale is a lot better as a result of testing.”