As businesses across the country begin to reopen, one of the most important discussions is workplace safety. While many companies continue to operate remotely, some require a physical presence from employees. As a business owner, your top priority should be the health and safety of your staff and customers. All workplaces—including offices, shops, restaurants, and construction sites—must take proactive steps to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Here are key considerations for developing effective post-COVID workplace safety policies:
General Hygiene
1. Reinforce the CDC’s guidelines for proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette, such as coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow.
2. Review your current cleaning and sanitation practices against updated CDC recommendations. Implement or upgrade procedures to reduce virus transmission, and ensure employees maintain these practices.
3. Stock essential cleaning products and sanitizers for employee use throughout the workday.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
1. Continue adhering to OSHA’s requirements for employee PPE use.
2. If your state mandates face masks or gloves for employees or customers, enforce the regulations and provide PPE whenever possible.
3. Encourage the use of cloth face coverings as recommended by the CDC if formal PPE is not provided.
Social Distancing
1. Reconfigure your workspace to allow at least six feet of distance between employees if telework is not possible.
2. Consider installing physical barriers, closing communal areas, staggering shifts and breaks, and avoiding large gatherings.
3. Limit the number of employees on-site at any given time and consider alternating teams to maintain distancing.
Employee Health Monitoring
1. Establish a plan to monitor employees’ health, focusing on COVID-19 symptoms.
2. Prepare protocols for handling positive COVID-19 cases, following OSHA guidelines to isolate affected employees.
3. Communicate sick leave and paid time-off policies, encouraging employees to stay home if they feel unwell.
Security and Cybersecurity
For businesses continuing remote operations long-term, cybersecurity is crucial. Coronavirus-related scams are widespread, and employees are the first line of defense.
1. Review your technical infrastructure to protect sensitive business and customer data.
2. Consider banning personal devices for work, limiting company-wide file access, and requiring password managers and multi-factor authentication.
3. Provide training or refresher courses on cybersecurity best practices for all employees.
Clear Communication
Set clear expectations with employees, clients, and customers about your post-COVID operations. Transparency ensures everyone knows safety measures, work protocols, and how interactions will be handled.
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