As it comes time to return to the workplace, many workers may still be anxious about the spread of coronavirus. But there are many things you can do to protect your employees and put their minds at ease.
Conduct Hazard Assessments and Health Checks
Before workers return, employers should conduct a hazard assessment in the workplace. The CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breaks down how to assess for coronavirus hazards into three sections: engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment. They provide several resources on their website on how to create controls in the workplace.
All employees entering the workspace should receive health checks, either in-person or virtually, each day. Health checks can help stop the spread and keep those employees returning to work and their families at home safe. While conducting these checks, it is important to respect each employee’s right to confidentially and not assess risk based on discriminating factors such as race or country of origin.
Along with daily health checks, employers should actively encourage their employees to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Employees should also stay home if they think they’ve come in contact with someone with coronavirus or are living with someone who has been exhibiting symptoms.
Create an Action Plan
It is also important to have a plan for when an employee does not pass a health check or becomes sick during the workday. This plan may include isolating and transporting the sick employee and closing off areas which the employee used for a prolonged period of time. It may also include disinfecting the exposed areas or shutting down your workspace until it is safe to return. Though you will not likely need to shut down your entire workspace, having a plan in case this were to happen will help eliminate stress and ease the process of re-opening.
Improve Ventilation
Check the indoor air quality of the workspace and make sure the facility’s ventilation systems are operating properly. If possible, keep systems running longer than the workday to optimize air exchange. The CDC also provides guidelines on their website on how to improve ventilation in the workplace. The easiest way to do so, is to simply open the windows and let in the fresh outdoor air.
Social Distancing and Masks
Covid-19 can spread when people are within six feet of one other for prolonged periods of time. To avoid spreading the disease throughout the workspace, employers should uphold social distancing policies and require their employees to wear face coverings.
While employees may choose to bring their own masks and hand sanitizers into the workplace, it is still important for employers to provide these items. By providing these items, employers show that they care about their employees’ well-being and encourage proper health and hygiene in the workplace. It also helps to have spare face coverings in the office, just in case a person’s mask is forgotten or soiled.
