Are you ready to bring your employees back to the office? While the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, many companies are making the difficult choice to re-open amid the pandemic. The good news is that you can still keep your employees safe without shutting down or working remotely. Try these four safety measures to protect your workers from COVID-19 as they head back to their cubicles.
Provide Hand Sanitizer
Although washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water is the best way to remove germs, studies show that most common hand sanitizers are also effective at killing the new coronavirus. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a great way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when soap and water are not convenient, so make them freely available to your employees. Consider installing hand sanitizer dispensers near entrances and in restrooms.
Establish a Cleaning Schedule
Hands aren’t the only surfaces that can harbor the new coronavirus. Frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, elevator buttons and telephones can potentially infect workers, so regular and thorough cleaning is very important for keeping your employees healthy. If you can’t afford to hire extra janitorial staff, keep a cleaning schedule that lets your employees take turns disinfecting surfaces throughout the day.
Install Plexiglass Screens
Masks and face coverings are one of the most effective ways to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, but they aren’t always practical to wear all day while working. A good alternative is the installation of plexiglass sneeze screens between each cubicle. Screens are also effective as extra protection for cashiers, receptionists and other employees in customer-facing positions.
Conduct Temperature Checks
Because a fever is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19, temperature checks are an easy and effective screening tool to keep infected persons out of the office. A forehead thermometer or infrared temperature gun is the fastest and easiest way to conduct temperature checks. Just aim the device at a person’s forehead to get an instant temperature reading with no need to touch the person or sanitize equipment.
Although there are many simple safety measures that can reduce the spread of the new coronavirus in the workplace, the best way to keep your employees healthy is to make sure they stay home when they’re sick. Provide generous paid sick leave during the pandemic, and don’t allow anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 into the building. Consider allowing high-risk employees to continue working remotely for their safety.
