Since a month ago, more and more states across the US have reopened business. Arkansas, Oklahoma and Georgia were the first states to reopen non-essential business including cinemas, barber shops and local restaurants. Now, more than a dozen states are reactivating their economy gradually. However, coronavirus cases are still increasing.
If you are planning to get back to your business, it is important to stick to all security recommendations and be prepared in order to create a safe working environment as well as keep your employees and the community safe. These are some general recommendations based on OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for Covid-19. Employers are responsible for determining the best practices and safety controls depending on the business activity.
Engineering controls
- If it is possible, install high-efficiency air filters or make sure there is enough air ventilation in your workplace.
- Install physical barriers like clear plastic sneeze guards.
- For customer service, install a drive through window.
Administrative controls
- Encourage your workers to stay at home if they feel sick.
- Use virtual communications in order to minimize contact among workers, customers and clients.
- Make necessary changes in the workers schedule. This will help to reduce the number of people inside your installations, and they will be working at a safe distance.
- Training workers who need to use personal protective equipment and clothing correctly. They must know how to put it, use/wear it and how to dispose of it properly.
- Develop a communication plan to update your workers and answer all their questions and concerns.
- Cancel all non-vital travel.
Safety Practices at work
- Make sure you are providing resources that promote personal hygiene such as hand soap, antibacterial hand gel containing at least 70 percent alcohol, disposable towels for clean work surfaces and disinfectants.
- Make sure your workers are washing their hands regularly.
- Promote personal hygienic practices with signs in restrooms.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be
- Selected according to the level of exposure.
- Regularly inspected, maintained and replaced.
- Removed, cleaned and disposed of correctly to avoid contaminating other people and the environment.
Kwema is a company that mitigates the safety risks that employees face by providing wearables that activate an emergency protocol. Our technology is designed to avoid adoption hurdles and training costs by being placed in something many employees already wear.
Watch how Kwema is disrupting workplace safety
Prepare your workplace for the reopening
Prepare your workplace for COVID-19
Workplace reopening
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COVID-19