The first COVID-19 case was first reported in Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019 and since then, the virus has spread across the globe affecting and changing almost all aspects of life.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is highly infectious and can spread from one person to another, including through aerosol transmission of particles produced when an infected person exhales, talks, vocalizes, sneezes, or coughs. The virus is highly transmissible and can be spread by people who have no symptoms.
Particles containing the virus can travel more than 6 feet, especially indoors and in dry conditions especially with a relative humidity of below 40%, and can be spread by individuals who do not know they are infected.
When a COVID-19 patient coughs or exhales they release droplets of infected fluid. Once released, most of these droplets fall on objects and surfaces such as tables, desks, or telephones. People then catch COVID-19 by touching the contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching their nose, eyes, or mouth. If they are standing within one meter of a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them.
Public health authorities around the globe with the help of international health organizations such as the WHO are taking action to limit the spread of the virus.
However, there is still a long way to go and success cannot be taken for granted. Every sector of our society – including businesses and employers – must play a role in order to stop the spread of this disease. The following are the Guidelines and Strategies that will help prevent and reduce transmission of COVID-19 at the workplace.
Vaccination
Vaccination is one of the key steps aimed at protecting workers. As an employee, take advantage of opportunities that your employer may provide to take time off to get vaccinated. Vaccines are highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against symptomatic and severe COVID-19 illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, a growing body of evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have symptomatic infection or transmit the virus to others.
Physical Distancing
An important approach to protect workers is to physically distance them from other workers and customers. Generally, at least 6 feet of distance is recommended, although this is not a guarantee of safety, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
Often, workers in a workspace are required to work closer to each other and/or customers or clients for long periods of time. With the virus in the picture, maintaining physical distancing at the workplace for such workers is an important control to limit its spread.
Employers could also limit the number of unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk workers in one place at any given time, for example by implementing flexible worksites like working from home, delivering services remotely implementing flexible work hours, or implementing flexible meeting and travel options, for such workers.
Face Masks
Workers should be mandated to wear a face cover that covers the nose and mouth. A face cover contains the wearer’s respiratory droplets from spreading and helps protect others and potentially themselves too. Face masks should be made of at least two layers of a tightly woven breathable fabric, such as cotton, and should not have exhalation valves or vents. They should fit snugly over the nose, mouth, and chin with no large gaps on the outside of the face.
Employers should provide face coverings to workers who request them at no cost and make replacements available to workers when they request them.
Education and Training
Educating and training managers on how to implement COVID-19 policies is also an important step to prevent the spread of the virus. Communicate supportive workplace policies clearly, frequently, and via multiple methods to promote a safe and healthy workplace. Communications should be in plain language that unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers understand and in a manner accessible to individuals with disabilities. Training should be directed at employees, contractors, and any other individuals on-site, as appropriate, and should include:
- Basic facts and information about COVID-19, including how it is spread and the importance of physical distancing, ventilation, vaccination, use of face coverings, and hand hygiene.
- Policies and procedures are implemented to protect workers from COVID-19 hazards.
Ventilation
COVID-19 spreads faster between people who are indoors than outdoors. Therefore, improving ventilation is a key engineering control that can be used as a strategy to reduce the concentration of viral particles in indoor air and the risk of virus transmission to workers. A well-maintained ventilation system is particularly important in any indoor workplace setting and when working properly, ventilation is an important control measure to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Adequate ventilation will protect all people in a closed space. Key measures include ensuring heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are operating in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and design specifications, conducting all regularly scheduled inspections and maintenance procedures, maximizing the amount of outside air supplied, installing air filters, or maximizing natural ventilation in buildings by opening windows and doors.
Hand Washing
Washing hands kills the virus on your hands and prevents the spread of COVID -19.
Promote regular and thorough hand-washing by employees, contractors, and customers. This can be achieved by putting sanitizing hand rub dispensers in prominent places around the workplace and making sure these dispensers are regularly refilled. You can also display posters promoting hand-washing. Ask your local public health authority for them. Combine this with other communication measures such as offering guidance from occupational health and safety officers, briefings at meetings, and information on the intranet to promote hand-washing.
Make sure that staff, contractors, and customers have access to places where they can wash their hands with soap and water.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
Develop, implement, and maintain a plan to perform regular cleanings to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.
Start by routinely cleaning all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, and doorknobs. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using a detergent or soap and water before you disinfect them. For disinfection, the most common household disinfectants should be effective but make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method, and contact time).
Discourage workers from using each other’s phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. Also, provide disposable disinfecting wipes so that employees can wipe down commonly used surfaces before each use.
Store and use disinfectants in a responsible and appropriate manner according to the label and do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together. This can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in.
Ensure there is adequate ventilation when using cleaning and disinfection products and advise employees to always wear gloves appropriate for the chemicals being used when they are cleaning and disinfecting.
Meetings and Gatherings
If possible, it is highly recommended to use video conferencing or teleconferencing for work-related meetings and gatherings. Ensure to cancel, adjust, or postpone large work-related meetings or gatherings that can only occur in-person in accordance with the government and ministry of health regulations and guidance.
However, when videoconferencing or teleconferencing is not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces and continue to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet apart, sanitize regularly, and wear masks.
Sick Employees
Employees who have symptoms should notify their supervisor and stay home. The Ministry of Health recommends testing for people with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and for all close contacts of persons with COVID-19. Workers who are sick with COVID-19 should isolate and follow recommended steps by the government.
Employees who have no symptoms (asymptomatic) or not yet showing symptoms (pre-symptomatic) but have tested positive for COVID-19 should also isolate. Employees should not return to work until the criteria to discontinue home isolation are met, in consultation with healthcare providers.
Workers who are well but who have a sick household member with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and follow recommended precautions by the government. They are also encouraged to implement flexible, non-punitive paid sick leave and supportive policies and practices as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent and reduce transmission among employees.
