As many of us return to work, we may wonder if our workplace layout will look the same as it did when we left, just a few months ago. It likely won’t. But that’s a good thing. Because the changes made to your workplace’s layout can help keep you safe and healthy on the job.
The CDC, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provide key resources on their website about how to properly reduce disease transmission among workers. In conjunction with administrative controls, the CDC recommends changing the layout of your workplace.
Identify Hazardous Locations
In the past, our workplace layouts encouraged collaboration and community, especially in open offices – where personal space and privacy where nearly nonexistent. But now distance is a necessity. So, to help workers keep their distance, it is important to first identify where workers are most at risk of being exposed to COVID-19 at work. These high-risk areas may include meeting rooms, waiting areas, break rooms, points of entry, and cafeterias. Elevators, too, are likely to be a hotspot for disease transmission.
Modify Work and Communal Areas
Once you have identified the hazardous locations in your workplace, create a plan of action to help workers maintain social distancing. Workstations and seating should be at least six feet apart. Where social distancing is not an option, install transparent shields for separation. Though you may use other types of physical barriers, transparent shields will help your workspace feel more open and filled with light, as opposed to confined. You have likely seen this already done in places like grocery stores, where cashiers must interact at close proximity with customers.
But where physical barriers are not an option, use tape on the floor to indicate the appropriate distance to be kept or to encourage caution. Also, unnecessary seating, such as reception or communal area chairs, can be removed or covered up, so that they cannot be used.
The CDC also recommends taking the proper steps to improve ventilation in the building. You can improve ventilation by increasing the amount of outdoor air throughout your workplace. An easy way to do this is to open your windows. Or use the economizer modes of HVAC operations. And disable controls that base air supply on occupancy or temperature. If possible, you may want to run your building’s ventilation system even when it is unoccupied.
Uphold Social Distancing Policies and Practices
Physical changes to your workplace must also be coupled by policies and practices for social distancing, in order to successfully prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Handshakes should be prohibited, and handwashing should be encouraged. Employees should continue to wear face coverings and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth. High-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, and keyboards should be routinely cleaned and disinfected. And those feeling ill, and those living in close quarters who is feeling ill, should be encouraged to stay home.
