The local gas plant says focus is on the safety of its employees and Rimbey community.
James Pratt, spokesperson for the Keyera Corp. Rimbey Gas Plant, says staff have been provided with COVID-19 updates to avoid coming in contact with the virus.
“These updates include hygiene protocols and a health assessment resource to assist individual employee and family needs,” said Pratt in an email. “We also screen any third party visitors with a COVID-19 protocol to ensure their visit is necessary, and then if it is we make sure they are healthy and can be on site.”
Additionally, he says, the Human Resources team is constantly updating protocols based on the changes coming from both the provincial and federal governments.
The plant classifies as an essential service under the province’s definition and is still running at normal inlet flows from its customers.
“Our priority in maintaining our operations is being mindful of the health and safety of our people,” stated Pratt, adding everyone is feeling the effects of COVID-19 both at work and at home.
He says the plant is running its normal crews for operations, but there is the ability to adjust staffing to respond to changes as required.
Access to the operations group and control room are being limited during the pandemic.
“Only essential and critical maintenance is being completed to ensure the safety of our facilities and employees,” said Pratt. “All maintenance activities that can be moved to a later date have been.”
Support services are all off-site and working remotely from home.
Pratt continued to say the staff are following the Keyera protocols, which are derived from the Alberta Health Services’ guidance, while continuing to conduct business.
“We are asking our staff to limit their interactions with others, practise social distancing and we have implemented increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols as recommended by AHS,” Pratt explained. “We are working with local vendors to ensure they can continue to supply the goods and services we use during this pandemic.”
He added they are in constant contact with their customers and will work individually with them to continue to support their needs throughout the situation.