During this COVID-19 outbreak many people are working from home. However, not all workers are afforded that option. Many people have jobs that simply cannot be performed from home. Those folks are still reporting for work in their normal workplace environments. Protecting the health of those workers requires the adoption of extra safeguards to help mitigate exposure to COVID-19. COVID-19 best practices for the workplace include many familiar hygiene-related tactics as well as some additional measures.
Handwashing, Handwashing, Handwashing
This simple measure cannot be overstated. Hand cleanliness is the front-line defense against spread of any contact-induced contagion. To achieve maximum COVID-19 protection hands must be washed regularly and thoroughly. A superficial rinse will not be sufficient. A robust handwashing process will include the following steps:
- Wet hands thoroughly with clean, running, water.
- Apply a generous amount of disinfecting soap to wet hands
- Thoroughly scrub hands---and wrists---for a minimum of 20 seconds. A neat trick is to scrub your hands for as long as it takes you to hum the song Happy Birthday two times.
- Rinse hands thoroughly with clean, running, water.
- Dry hands with a disposable---single-use---paper towel.
- Dispose of towel in an appropriate waste container.
COVID-19 protection requires frequent handwashing. As a rule, you should wash your hands immediately after....
- Sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose
- Touching any high-contact surface (e.g. light switches, door handles, elevator buttons, multi-use computer keyboards, break-room appliances, countertops........)
- Before and after eating
Make sure that employees have ample access to hand-washing stations and make sure those stations are always stocked with soap and single- use paper towels. Provide individual employees with alcohol-based hand-sanitizing products. Those products should contain at least 60% alcohol.
Vigilance and Discipline
COVID-19 best practices for the workplace includes taking some extraordinary precautions and making sure that everyone complies with those safeguards. This includes the following:
- Stress the importance of proper sneeze and cough protocol. Employees must cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. The hand should not be used as the covering. The employee should cover their mouth and nose with the crook of their arm.
- Do not shake hands with coworkers or visitors. Handshaking a is prime vehicle for the spread of COVID-19.
- Cancel or postpone large employee gatherings that would take place within a confined space.
- Encourage your employees to maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from one another.
- Follow the disinfection guidelines specified in our previous post Covid-19: Disinfecting Techniques to Help Control Spread
- When possible, utilize virtual meeting technologies to minimize personal contact with clients, vendors, etc.
- Conduct follow-up training on the proper use of PPE equipment and clothing.
- Any employee that shows signs of illness should immediately be sent home.
For additional information on COVID-19 best practices for the workplace we recommend you consult the CDC.
Keeping your employees safe and healthy during this COVID-19 pandemic is a top priority. Following the guidelines above will help you achieve that objective. Click the link to learn more about SMO's professional disinfecting services.
