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As the COVID-19 pandemic grinds on (though mercifully, it seems, with a light at the end of the tunnel), many companies are trying to sustain their return-to-work efforts or initiate them.
Back in January, OSHA released a guidance that's a help to these companies, and we encourage you to check that out. We even created a COVID Return to Work Checklist based on the guidance that we think you'll find helpful and that we encourage you to download.
Below, we're going to list 10 easy things with a lot of "bang for the buck" that your organization can do to help make your return-to-work efforts safer and healthier for everyone at your organization as the pandemic continues. Please feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments below.
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Download our COVID-19/Return to Work Checklist and watch our free COVID Safety Online Courses
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Here's a quick list of 10 things you can do that are pretty easy and will really help with your COVID mitigation efforts.
If a worker is infected with COVID-19, even if that worker has no symptoms or mild symptoms, have him or her stay at home or work from home.
In some cases, you may realize workers may have been exposed to COVID-19 even if they don't yet test positive. Quarantine those workers to keep them away from other workers (or encourage them to stay home or work from home if possible).
Need a refresher on isolation and quarantining? Here's a handy video from the CDC to help.
COVID-19 is more likely to spread if people are close contact--such as within six feet--for an extended period of time.
By having people stay further than six feet from one another, you can reduce the risk of having COVID spread from person-to-person at work.
Sometimes it's not easy or sustainable to simply tell people to stay six feet or further away from one another at work.
In those instances, pull out your inner-safety-ninja, fall back on the hierarchy of controls, and put in an engineering control: barriers that keep people apart.
Face masks work. Have employees use them. Make sure they fit securely.
If you improve the ventilation at your workplace, there's less of a chance for airborne COVID particles to transfer from an infected employee to another employee. Open the windows and consult this OSHA guidance on COVID and ventilation for more details.
For an even deeper dive, check ASHRAE’s Guidance for Building Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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You don't want to default to PPE immediately (keep in mind the hierarchy of controls), but you may well ultimately decide that PPE such as gloves and tight-fitting respirators are called for.
Workers can't practice good hygiene and cut down of COVID transmission risks if they don't have the supplies. Make sure they've got what they need at work free of charge and in convenient locations.
Set up procedures and schedules to be sure the workplace is cleaned on a regular basis and cleaned well.
Provide safety and health training to employees about COVID in general and about your organization's COVID-related policies.
If you put these 10 steps into effect, you'll be well on your way to creating an effective COVID prevention plan at work that keeps employees safe, healthy and working while allowing your organization to continue operating and making money. Good luck and let us know if you have any questions.
Check out this article for more on OSHA's recommendations for COVID safety training and check out the "Vector Cares" series of complementary courses on COVID-19 our parent company Vector Solutions is offering.
If you'd like some additional help, Vector Solutions offers the following digital EHS and risk-management tools to help with your COVID prevention plan:
And be sure to download the Return to Work checklist below.
