Employee Health ad Safety

Businesswoman on a video confence with four works on her laptop screen.

Employee Health & Safety in a Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has altered the health and safety landscape for employers. Whether you have employees working from home or still reporting to work, it has never been more important to be aware of issues affecting your employees’ mental and physical well-being.

Here is a summary culled from published advice presented by experts in human resources, health care and risk management on how to address employee health and safety during the crisis:

Telecommuting

For many employers, telecommuting has become the new normal in sustaining business operations. For those unaccustomed to working remotely, there are many stress factors to consider.

Keep in mind the following points to help employees who are working remotely stay healthy and productive:

Ensure team members have enough technical resources to work successfully and comfortably.
Avoid feelings of isolation among workers. Managers should check in with them at least once or twice a day.
Encourage teleconferencing and, whenever possible, video conferencing; don’t just email or text.
Create a routine for your team; establish what you want them to accomplish each morning.
Over-communicate with employees and be transparent; ambiguity contributes to employee stress and anxiety.
Remove hindrances such as unclear objectives, conflicting requests and office politics.
Show caring and compassion. Let employees know you are there for them to talk if needed.
Encourage breaks, physical activity, self-care (quiet time, gratefulness, meditation, etc.), healthy eating habits and a good night’s sleep.
Be mindful of high demands associated with childcare and other family issues, compounded by heavy workloads, time pressure and low levels of autonomy. Adjust accordingly.
Provide guidance and empower employees with decision-making authority while serving customers.

Worksite Precautions

Employers in certain manufacturing, and food and other service industries can take the following precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus for employees reporting to work:

Emphasize personal hygiene and social distancing as critically important to employee health and safety.
Provide wipes, tissues and no-touch trash cans. Wipe down door handles, kitchen areas, phones, remotes, keyboards and desks.
Stress that all workers, regardless of exposure risk, should frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Post signs reminding workers to cover their coughs, regularly wash hands, avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, and avoid physical contact.
Ensure workers use controls to prevent exposure. Provide face masks, gloves and other appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) whenever possible and when required.
Replace face-to-face meetings with conference calls or videoconferencing.
Tape the floor at intervals of six feet or more to help workers keep their distance in employments that include warehouse operations, reception areas, food preparation, check-out counters, etc.
Use staggered or alternating shifts to allow employees to self-isolate for extended time away from work.
In all workplaces, promptly identify and isolate potentially infectious individuals as a critical first step in protecting workers, visitors and others at the worksite.

Additional Resources

Visit these websites for additional advice and resources:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

World Health Organization

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/09-03-2020-covid-19-occupational-health

NYSIF Advisor Spring 2020

Employee Health & Safety in a Pandemic