A WHITEFIELD firm has been leading the way when it comes to Covid-19 testing in the workplace.

Bosses at Albert Close Trading Estate based door hardware manufacturer UAP say that they want to take a "strong stance" as part of their efforts revolving around second wave coronavirus restrictions.

On-site testing has been made available for all staff, according to chief executive David Jennings.

The company has been working with Liverpool's BioGrad Laboratories, a medical and scientific support company, with next-day results being made available.

Mr Jennings said: "We are going to keep on testing and testing and testing until the UK gets past the peak of the pandemic."

He is intending to continue testing every two weeks up until Christmas.

Any affected staff will be told to self-isolate for the required period of time.

Mr Jennings says tests for employees are no mandatory but will be necessary for those who need to visit the company premises.

Home working provisions are still in place for those who can work remotely.

And tests are also being provided for household members of UAP employees, which are also paid for by the chief executive.

He told the Bury Times antibody tests will soon be available for all staff and their households.

And he says that any members of staff at UAP that test positive and need to self-isolate at home will be provided with their full wage as normal.

The company has also pledged to investigate any positive cases and initiate contact tracing to prevent Covid from spreading further.

Mr Jennings, who is working to keep warehousing and other operations coronavirus-free, said a small number of positive cases were discovered during initial tests, which led to workers self-isolating as required.