How to Make Going Back to Work Safe and Efficient
As companies are slowly moving back into the office, there are certainly some steps that can be taken to make this process as safe and efficient as possible. These practices are designed to ease concerns, especially for office workers, to reduce the risk of infection and keep everyone safe.
Here are some ways to make going back to work safe and efficient.
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Start with Essential Workers
In addition to taking temperatures, testing for COVID-19 and promoting contact tracing, it’s best to bring only critical workers to the office first. If all goes well, additional staff can come back in phases, monitoring the health of all staff carefully before initiating the next phase.
But the company can maintain efficiency by starting with the employees who are most critical, such as operations workers or those unable to work from home. They can help the company “get back on its feet” quickly while practicing social distancing and sanitation measures.
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Improve Sanitization
It’s crucial to sanitize high-touch surfaces like elevator buttons, desks, phones, coffee machines, door handles, etc. Employees can certainly help by simply wiping down the surface with a disinfection wipe after they use it. A professional disinfection and cleaning service can also be hired for frequent cleanings in case some employees aren’t following the rules.
In addition to disinfecting high touch surfaces and objects, everyone should always be washing their hands. Keep in mind that flushing toilets can also increase the risk of sickness as they spread contaminated aerosols. Health professionals suggest taking the following steps when using the bathroom:
- Close the toilet lid when flushing
- Install touch-free faucets, toilets, and doors
- Leave the exhaust fan running when leaving the bathroom
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom
- Don’t use the bathroom immediately after someone else
- Wear face masks to protect others
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Improve Ventilation and Circulation
The main way that COVID-19 spreads is through airborne respiratory droplets. Because of this, employees should always stay at least 6 feet away from each other.
It’s also not clear yet on how many COVID-19 particles it takes for someone to get sick, but experience with other diseases reveals the dose does matter. So it’s important to keep the air running and filtered to keep it diluted.
Simple ways to improve air circulation throughout the workspace include:
- Opening the windows
- Installing high-grade filters in their HVAC systems
- Investing in portable air purifiers
Each of these methods are relatively cheap and can be extra effective to keep airborne viruses and bacteria low.
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Reposition Desks and Install Plexiglass Barriers
While the look of an open office with short or inexistent cubicle walls, new co-working spaces, and desks crammed together fits the modern office environment, it’s not social distance friendly. On the other hand, inexpensive changes can be made to accommodate the growing number of employees returning to work.
Alternating shifts and working days
Businesses should first consider implementing shift schedules or alternating days at the office so fewer employees are present at any time. Large conference rooms should also be closed, unless employees are allowed to sit in every other chair.
Move desks around
Social distancing can also be accommodated by spreading out desks, creating an offset angle so aerosols and respiratory droplets are directed towards walls and aisles instead of each other.
Install plexiglass barriers
For larger offices with open spaces, plexiglass barriers can provide a great solution to keep germs and viruses from spreading between working employees.
Require the use of masks
Wearing masks in public spaces is advised as an effective measure to prevent potentially spreading the virus to others. It is advised to wear masks when necessary in the workplace, however, it is not considered as high of a priority as the previously mentioned measures. Employers should not neglect to clean and disinfect the workspace and take additional safety measures and expect that having their employees wear masks will make up for it.
In smaller spaces, like elevators, wearing masks is especially important as employees are forced to gather within 6 feet of each other. Just remember to have the buttons sanitized on regular basis, or even better, have employees take the stairs instead.
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Promote Proper Hygiene
OSHA highly recommends companies provide hand sanitizer, extra tissue boxes and trash bins to promote proper hygiene as well as encourage sick employees to stay home. Additional details are provided regarding each job type, including providing eye protection and gloves for employees in high-risk environments.
Knowing the Risk
While it’s understandable companies are anxious to get their employees back into the office and resume operations, there’s simply no way to guarantee the health and safety of all workers. Without a vaccine, COVID-19 can spread and endanger anyone exposed.
However, businesses need to get back to work and OSHA, the EPA and WHO are setting guidelines for employees to return to work safely. While they won’t guarantee zero risk, they can significantly reduce the chances of the disease spreading.
Get the COVID-19 Business Bundle from HRBOOST®
As businesses are taking all cautionary steps to restore operations and open their doors again, our professionals at HRBOOST® are fully supportive of their efforts. So we have created a COVID-19 Business Bundle for employers to help them get through this pandemic.
The COVID-19 Business Bundle includes:
- Exposure Control Plan
- Notice of Workplace Exposure to a Communicable Disease
- Health Care Provider Certification (Form)
- Infectious Disease Control Policy
- Fitness for Duty Certification
- And much more!
Save time and money when adapting to the changes brought by the pandemic with this COVID-19 Business Bundle, helping you to comply with federal laws, including Paid Sick Leave laws and the Emergency Family Medical Leave law.
Contact Us
HRBOOST® is also including a free consultation to allow businesses to understand their new employer obligations in the workplace.
Give us a call at 847-736-5085 for more information on how we can help you adjust to new regulations brought on by the pandemic. We are here to help!
