COVID Safety Planning

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Add Fighting COVID to Workplace Safety Plan

In the new normal brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, training and educating your workforce about the importance of complying with COVID-19 policies and precautions should now be an integral part of your workplace safety plan.

Below we offer safety and risk management advice that represents a consensus of professionals in the workers’ compensation, human resources and legal fields.

COVID Safety Training

Spend some time on COVID-19 safety training to help prevent unwanted outbreaks, fines or lawsuits.
Training can consist of short talks, virtual meetings, online posts or email notifications.
Training should cover the minimum COVID-19 guidelines recommended by the CDC for maintaining a safe workplace, as well as New York State reopening rules applicable to your industry.

As with any workplace safety program, employees should not disregard safety protocols and may be asked to read and agree to your safety plan. Train supervisors to enforce the rules, which will build a better safety culture.

Workplace Safety

Follow all COVID-19 CDC guidelines and state and local rules.
Provide all necessary personal protective equipment, implement engineering controls to sanitize workplaces and ensure adequate social distancing.
Consider using health screening apps or online forms to screen workers before they report to work.
Take temperature readings for anyone entering work premises, limit the number of workers in an area at one time, stagger shifts, assign dedicated workstations, reduce the use of shared equipment, and increase ventilation where possible.

Communication

Show employees that you care about them; explain everything being done to protect them at work.
Consult trusted sources including the CDC, World Health Organization and New York State Department of Health for accurate and up-to-date information about the virus to share with managers and staff.
Listen to employees’ concerns. Be aware that employees’ anxieties may differ based on age, physical and mental health, and family situations.

Available Technologies

There are several technologies that both large and small employers are using to protect employees and customers by mitigating COVID-19 risks. These include:

Symptom Checking – Devices include digital questionnaires, mobile screening apps, and telethermographic systems for contactless temperature readings.
Software – Environment, health and safety software is available that allows employers to implement their own tracking systems, conduct assessments and communicate with employees.
Disinfecting Robots – These machines chemically disinfect or use ultraviolet light to clean surfaces in hospitals, airports, warehouses and other large workspaces.