How to Keep the Workplace Safe & Healthy

With the current COVID-19 outbreak, it’s more important than ever to keep the workplace safe for you and your employees. Here are considerations to keep in mind for staying safe and healthy in the workplace.

How to Keep the Workplace Safe and HealthyMake sure your workplace is clean and hygienic.

Contaminated surfaces are a way that sickness can spread. Make sure to frequently wipe down and sanitize surfaces on desks, tables, doorknobs, handrails and objects such as telephones and keyboards.

When possible, avoid using other employee’s items or equipment and if sharing is unavoidable, make sure to clean and disinfect them before and after use.

Promote regular and thorough hand washing practices.

Regular and thorough hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds should be a consideration for all employees, contractors and customers, as it helps kill off viruses and prevents the spread of COVID-19.

It could help to display a reminder in the restrooms about the importance of handwashing. Your local health authority should have access to these posters for you.

Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands and make sure to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, after using the restroom, and before/after eating.

Support respiratory health in the workplace.

The quality of indoor air in the workplace is important not only for your employee’s comfort, but also for their health. Consider sources of indoor air pollution from poor ventilation from not enough or lack of outside air, problems controlling temperature, high or low humidity, recent remodeling and other activities in or near the workplace that could impact the fresh air coming into the building.

Install high-efficiency air filters and open windows and doors whenever possible to make sure your workplace is well ventilated. Encourage employees to get outside to get some fresh air in their lungs, and if possible bring in some indoor plants to help clear the air. Here are 20 best plants for cleaning indoor air.

Keeping the Workplace Safe for You and Your EmployeesKeep your distance.

Practice recommended social distancing by avoiding large gatherings and try to stay at least six feet away from others. If possible, implement teleworking environments with remote services and/or flexible working hours with staggered shifts. Discourage handshaking and find other creative ways to greet others… at a safe distance.

Stay home if you’re feeling sick!

Make sure to communicate to employees that they should stay home if they feel even mild symptoms of a cough, shortness of breath or low-grade fever. Display posters can help remind them of this, combined with other communication channels. Your local public health authority or other partners may have materials to help promote this message.

Employees who show up to work with symptoms or who become sick during the day should immediately be separated from others and sent home. Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies.

Order sufficient supplies to keep your workplace safe and healthy.

Make sure you’re stocked up on soap for handwashing and tissues along with no-touch ways for employees to dispose of them safely. Place hand sanitizer in prominent areas around the workplace and make sure they’re filled regularly. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Total Office has the office supplies you need to keep your workplace safe and healthy. Contact us today to learn more.

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