Serving Cleveland, Akron, Wooster and the surrounding areas.
COVID-19 FACILITY REOPENING GUIDE
As the country continues to face the COVID-19 pandemic and begins planning for the return to the workplace there are several considerations employers and employees need to account for prior to reopening. While details on any expected regulations have been difficult to obtain, it can be expected that individual states will begin providing guidance or even regulations for the safe and healthy return to the workplace. This
Facility Reopening Guide provides recommendations based on guidance and regulations from health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 and state health departments on preparing commercial facilities and businesses for the return to standard business operations.
While the CDC does provide guidance for COVID-19 in workplaces, another important source is OSHA which includes regulations for COVID-19 in the workplace under two clauses and standards.
First, under The General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, 29 USC 654(a)(1), which requires employers to furnish to each worker “employment and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” Also, under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) which applies to occupational exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Where respirators are required, employers will also have to comply with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). These standards provide clear requirements of companies to provide safe, healthy environments for their employees.
There are three primary aspects to providing the best chance of success in returning back to business in a safe and healthy manner.
These three aspects include:
EDUCATE EMPLOYEES ON HOW TO SAFELY RETURN TO WORK
Even though you may be opening your doors and returning to standard business operations it is important to know that the risk of employees contracting COVID-19 coronavirus is still present and needs to be addressed accordingly. As you begin your communication plan to employees for the return to the workplace make sure to educate them on the proper ways to safely return to work.
Actively encourage sick employees to stay home:
Reinforce the importance of personal hygiene procedures:
We have all learned the importance of washing our hands correctly and maintaining personal hygiene. These aspects are even more critical as employees return to the workplace. Educate your employees on the importance of continuing the standard hygiene precautions and ensure they have the necessary tools to do so. This may require installing handwash stations at entryways or refilling restroom soap dispensers more frequently.
Educate employees on any new procedures implemented:
As your employees begin returning to the workplace, it may be necessary to implement new policies and procedures to prevent the spread of the virus. It will be important to educate all employees of the new policies and provide the necessary tools for adherence to the procedures.
Some recommendations to consider include:
ESTABLISH SAFE AND HEALTHY BUSINESS OPERATION
Identify a workplace coordinator who will be responsible for COVID-19 issues and their impact at the workplace.
Implement flexible sick leave and supportive policies and practices.
Consider establishing policies and practices for social distancing.
Social distancing should be implemented if recommended by state and local health authorities. Social distancing means avoiding large gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible (e.g., breakrooms and cafeterias).
Employers with more than one business location are encouraged to provide local managers with the authority to take appropriate actions outlined in their COVID-19 response plan based on local conditions.
PREPARING A HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT
Consider improving the engineering controls using the building ventilation system.
This may include some or all of the following activities:
Disinfect the workplace environment:
CDC GUIDANCE ON HOW TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT
Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces
Soft (Porous) Surfaces
Electronics
When Cleaning
If you need help preparing to reopen your business or facility, call us at 1-440-918-1523. We can provide peace of mind knowing you're employees and customers are being protected by professionals. |
REFERENCES
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134
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