As of right now, many restrictions are just being lifted concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and employees being able to return to work. With so much uncertainty, Zywave, an invaluable resource that RSI Insurance has access to, has recently offered some best practises for employees and businesses, even in an industry as unique as the transportation, to help navigate this return to work process.
Social Distancing Tips
It’s alway important to communicate to employees that social distancing should still be considered when working, either while performing deliveries or working with others in your own or their work environments. Zywave listed some key tips:
- Stay 6 feet away from others when working or on breaks. Where a minimum distance cannot be maintained, engineering or administrative controls will be in place.
- Avoid job tasks that require face-to-face work with others when possible (i.e., hold meetings virtually).
- Avoid contact with others whenever possible (e.g., handshakes).
- Avoid touching surfaces that may have been touched by others when possible.
- Avoid gathering when entering and exiting the facility.
- Enter and exit the building through designated areas only.
- Avoid using common areas.
- Follow any posted signage regarding COVID-19 social distancing practices.
Cleaning Tips
Both cleaning and disinfecting have become that much more vital than ever during this crisis and even though more restrictions are being lifted, continued vigilance should be expected from all staff.
Building management facilitates cleaning of common areas and other frequently touched surfaces but many employees need to maintain their own work areas, may it be their trucks, transports or inside office areas.
Zywave suggests “all employees do their part to help keep the office/work areas as clean as possible by cleaning and disinfecting their workstations and surfaces they commonly use. Employees should also avoid using others’ workstations, tools and equipment. Additionally, whenever an employee uses a common piece of equipment (e.g., printer or fax machine), it should be wiped down prior to and following use. Proper cleaning with the disinfecting supplies provided should be expected.”
General Health and Safety Tips
Good hygiene and personal consideration towards others is key. Always be considerate of others during this time.
- Regularly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds throughout the day with warm water and soap, specifically before eating.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Wear face coverings when in public and when entering and exiting the building and when using common areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and the lobby.
- Finally, if you’re feeling sick, please stay home. Doing so will protect the health of your co-workers/clients.
Monitoring COVID-19 Exposure, Symptoms or Confirmed Illness
One key aspect of having more employees back to work is the higher chance of exposure to the illness. Below are some great tips to handle if the situation does arrive.
- All employees will be asked to confirm the status of their health as part of working in the office. The company reserves the right to implement a screening protocol for symptoms, such as temperature checks or signed certifications, at any point.
- Results will be tracked separately from any personnel records and will be kept confidential. This protocol will commonly be implemented upon the initial opening of the office and as a response to a confirmed diagnosis. Employees unwilling to complete a screening will be required to work remotely.
- Additionally, any employee who experiences COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19 must notify HR as soon as practicable. The employee will be asked to assist with contact tracing. This information will be tracked separately from personnel records, and names will not be released. Depending on the circumstances, will notify impacted employees if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace. may elect to close the office for a period of up to 72 hours following a confirmed case to allow for natural deactivation of the virus.
These tips act as great advice for any business going through this unique employment situation, especially those with so many employees working in such a large geographic range as the transportation industry. We hope you use them to better mitigate the risks as this situation evolves.
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