SustainabilityCountermeasures to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Countermeasures to prevent the spread of COVID-19
—Safety for employees and customers—

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Japan and the world and has transformed our lives.
TOCALO is implementing measures to prevent the spread of the disease with an emphasis on the following concepts.

Prioritizing the safety of employees and their families, customers, and business partners.
Ensuring thorough risk management for business continuity.

In February 2020, in accordance with the basic policies announced by the government, our Company began measures to prevent infections, such as avoiding the three Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings) and wearing masks, while maintaining the operations of our plants. On March 1, we established the COVID-19 Countermeasure Headquarters headed by our President, and then implemented measures related to commuting to work, sales activities, and internal operations based on “not getting COVID-19,” “not passing on COVID-19,” and “not bringing in COVID-19.” To continue our business and protect the health of employees, we have been revising these measures according to the situation. The measures remain in effect as of August 2022.
During the COVID-19 crisis, we have been doing our utmost to work closely with our customers and fulfill their requests while paying abundant attention to safety. We are continuing our ongoing earnest efforts to contribute to society through our surface modification technologies.

Specific countermeasures

TOCALO initiatives (January 2020 to end of August 2022)

(Scope of report: TOCALO domestic facilities)

January	1/16 First confirmation of infection in Japan
February	Donation of masks to subsidiaries in China Checking of employees' temperatures before work every day Promotion of staggered work hours Voluntarily refraining from going on business trips Promotion of web conferencing Guidance on wearing masks
March	3/9 Expert Meeting calls for “avoiding 3Cs” Establishment of COVID-19 Response Headquarters Refraining from visits as much as possible Formulation of Work Attendance Standards as COVID-19 countermeasure Promoting avoidance of 3Cs at dining halls Allowing driving to work to avoid public transportation

April	4/7 Issuance of state of emergency declaration in seven prefectures 4/16 Expansion of state of emergency declaration to all of Japan, with 13 prefectures as Prefectures under Specific Cautions Telework Promotion Distribution of 50 masks per employee, request for thorough wearing of masks Training of new employees shifted to online training
May	5/27 Lifting of state of emergency declaration Resumption of customer visits (with prior approval from customers required)

June	6/19 Government announcement of phased easing In response to the easing of measures by the government, our measures were reviewed (wearing of masks, telework, staggered work hours, business trips, commuting by car, etc.). Donations were made to seven domestic medical institutions.

July	7/22 Start of Go To Travel campaign (excluding Tokyo) Strengthening of measures accompanying spread of infections (regarding wearing of masks, business trips, etc.)
September	Having company partly cover expenses for PCR tests and antibody tests following business trips and construction if requested (including family members)
December	12/15 Decision for nationwide suspension of Go To Travel Recommending commuting by car in order to avoid public transportation Discouraging company visits by guests Online implementation of ISO 14001 internal audit regarding some offices

January	1/8 Issuance of state of emergency declaration in four prefectures
February	2/17 Start of COVID-19 vaccinations in Japan
March	3/21 Lifting of state of emergency declaration Allowing of business trips, including outside of prefecture, as necessary Allowing of visits by guests

April	4/5 Application of semi-state of emergency measures in three prefectures 4/25 Issuance of state of emergency declaration in four prefectures Strengthening measures (wearing of masks, etc.) Installing disinfection devices and CO₂ measurement devices in closed spaces whenever possible Recommending telework, staggered work hours, commuting by car, etc. Voluntarily refraining from going on business trips Discouraging company visits by guests
May	Permission for taking of compensated half holiday or compensated holiday on day of vaccination (and the next day onward in the case of fever)
June	6/20 Lifting of state of emergency declaration in all prefectures except Okinawa Establishment of period of isolation measures following returns to Japan from overseas business trips

July	7/12 Issuance of state of emergency declaration in Tokyo 7/21 Start of Tokyo Olympics
August	8/2 Issuance of state of emergency declaration in four prefectures, application of semi-state of emergency measures in five prefectures 8/24 Start of Tokyo Paralympics

January	1/18 Internal countermeasures for the Omicron variant reviewed and refortified
March	3/21 Priority prevention measures discontinued, general coronavirus countermeasures maintained Measures ongoing

Work style

Staggered work hours

We implemented this to avoid the 3Cs during commuting. It also helped to reduce the density of locker rooms and dining halls.

Web conferencing

We actively implemented web conferences in order to avoid the 3Cs. With this, we can also interact with people far away immediately and see their faces. This led to more efficient business operations.

Telework

We introduced telework actively to divisions/departments capable of such a workstyle. We were able to participate in web conferences from home as well and were able to use time effectively.

Driving to work

Although driving to work was not permitted except for some business locations, it was temporarily allowed as a countermeasure for COVID-19.

Daily operations

Kitakyushu Plant — Temperature measurement and disinfection

Alcohol disinfectant bottles were set out in various locations to encourage frequent disinfection. Employee and visitor temperatures were taken, and safety measures implemented.
Online management of daily temperatures and concerns were begun to provide timely daily assessment of the health status of employees and their families. The system enabled immediate measures to be taken to prevent the infection from spreading.

Tokyo Plant Suzumi Workshop — Wearing masks

We have distributed masks to all employees, and have decided that masks should be worn during work at all times except in the following situations: (i) when walking alone during commuting, (ii) when alone in an isolated room, and (iii) when eating, smoking, and taking breaks.
We have implemented measures to ensure that a distance of at least two meters is maintained from the nearest person, and this has included making marks on the ground for standing positions at locations where masks are removed.

We removed seats from one side of tables and prohibited face-to-face seating during meals. At some sites, we divided employees into two groups and staggered lunch times. In addition, CO2 concentration meters were installed to monitor air circulation.

Business sites

To avoid the 3Cs, large meetings were held online and seats were adequately spaced and partitions set up in conference rooms. Desks were moved to make use of unused conference rooms. CO2 concentration meters were installed in all rooms for regular monitoring of air circulation.

We rearranged desks to avoid face-to-face seating and create space in between them. Between the desks, shields were installed to prevent spread of droplets.

The shield is marked with a dotted line in the photo.

Tokyo Plant Gyoda Workshop — 3C countermeasures among workers

Manufacturing sites have relatively more distance between workers, but there are also cases in which people work at a close distance. In such case, 3C avoidance measures were taken with vinyl sheets, etc., and careful consideration was given to the safety of workers and products.

The photograph has been partially edited out of consideration for confidentiality.