COVID-19
How to ensure a safer home and workspace during COVID-19.
What is COVID-19?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Coronaviruses are zoonotic which means they are transmitted from animals to humans. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
Are you ready to reopen your business?
CTSI has created a “Return To Work” protocol for our clients, please reach out if you are in need.
Follow the tips below to ensure your workspace is safe for reopening and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment
Commercial Building Management & Office Based Work Guidelines for Employers and Employees
Physical Distancing
(for more mandatory and recommended best practices by NYS please refer to the guidelines):
Mandatory
recommended best practices
Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection
(for more mandatory and recommended best practices, please refer to the guidelines):
Mandatory
recommended best practices
Communication
(for more mandatory and recommended best practices, please refer to the guidelines):
Mandatory
recommended best practices
Screening
(for more mandatory and recommended best practices, please refer to the guidelines):
Mandatory
recommended best practices
Preventative actions against Viral Infections
• Regulate humidity: Humidity plays an important role in the spread of viruses. With humidity levels that are too low, viruses and bacteria can thrive. You need just the right amount to maintain health in your buildings and facilities. Healthy humidity levels will make it more difficult for the virus to spread.
• Filter air: Check and maintain air filters to reduce the spread of unclean air.
• Keep warm: Your body can put up a better fight against illness when you’re warm.
• Stay at home: If employees have the symptoms of the flu, recommended that they stay at home.
• Symptoms may include fever, runny nose, body aches, headache or vomiting. The CDC recommends that workers who have a fever and respiratory symptoms stay at home until 24 hours after their fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit) ends. Employees should be encouraged to use their sick days or work from home to help prevent the spread of the flu.
• Wash your hands: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose. Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer throughout your business. “See below video to all of your staff how to wash their hands and Prevent spread of potential bacteria & virus.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/health-51637561/coronavirus-watch-how-germs- spread
• Avoid touching: Avoid touching the nose, mouth and eyes to prevent the spread of the germs. Also, do not shake hands or come in close contact with co-workers who might be ill.
• Cover your mouth: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper sleeve. Throw the used tissue away immediately.
• Clean surfaces: Keep frequently touched common surfaces, counters, copiers, telephones, computers, etc., clean. Make disinfectant wipes available for employees to help keep areas clean.
• Educate: Put up signs, posters and send emails reminding employees about how to reduce the spread of the flu and cold viruses.
Preventative actions in a workspace.
Perform routine environmental cleaning by doing the following:
• Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.
• Public Areas: Restrooms, Lobbies, Elevators should have more frequent maintenance by janitorial personnel.
• Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use.
• Lobbies should provide hand sanitizing stations in multiple locations.
Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps and considerations.
• CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential traveling at this point.
• Check the
CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices
for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country
to which you will travel. Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from China, and
information for aircrew, can be found at on the CDC website.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
• Advise employees to check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting travel
and notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
• Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they
should notify their supervisor and should promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed.
• Review your company’s current pandemic flu plan or we can develop a new plan with selected committee
(involve employees in development and review plan for distribution)
• Develop a flexible leave policy to allow employees to stay home to care for illness or sick family members.