When needing to change your workspace, it can be hard to know where to start. But here are a few things you can do to help protect workers and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Visual Cues to Implement
While everyone already knows about the six-feet apart rule, it is important to have constant reminders throughout the workplace. You can use tape to mark adequate space around workstations and in hallways. You can also post signs with friendly reminders to encourage proper hand washing and social distancing. Include maximum occupancy signs in elevators and smaller work areas, such as break rooms, kitchens, and reception.
You can also distribute information to workers on workplace specific COVID-19 protocols. With this information, workers will feel less stressed and more in the loop about the changes being made. The more transparency you provide, the easier the transition back into the workplace will be for everyone.
Transparent Partitions
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve only really seen transparent partitions or “sneeze guards” in healthcare and food service settings. But now that we are seeing them in almost all public places where close contact cannot be an avoided.
While you may not need to put partitions throughout your entire office, consider putting them in places where six feet of distance cannot be maintained. These spots may include reception areas and meeting rooms. There are also sneeze guards made to fit around cubicles and divide conference tables.
Sanitizing Stations and Wellness Checkpoint
Set up sanitizing stations throughout your workspace. These stations can include things like hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant sprays, paper towels, and spare face masks. You may also want to include disposable gloves. The CDC, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends wearing disposable gloves when cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated with the COVID-19 virus. Your sanitizing stations should also include a lined trash can nearby.
You may want to designate an area in your office’s entrance to check in with employees each day before they enter the workspace. In this area, you can conduct temperature screenings and monitor COVID-19 symptoms. But be sure that this area accommodates at least six feet of space between those waiting in line to be screened. If there is not enough space in your workplace’s entrance, consider a feasible way of screening employees from their cars or outside the building.
Pre-Packaged and Single Serve
Now is the time to restock the office kitchen. Restock your kitchen or breakroom with pre-packaged, single serve food and drink options. Replace office candy dishes with individually wrapped sweets. And switch out the communal coffee pot for single serve coffee makers. While it is unclear how long coronavirus can last on food, it is important to limit shared substances. It is also important to keep kitchenware clean. If your office doesn’t have a dishwasher, now may be the time to invest in one.
