The health situation is still critical and thinking about returning to normal requires establishing measures to prevent the spread when that time comes. Faced with this reality, it is necessary to establish COVID-19 prevention protocols in the work area. In Hispanic Entrepreneurs We present you the recommendations made by the Institute of Work Safety (IST).
Adapt for reopening
Coping with coronavirus disease has not been an easy task and many companies have been hit by the shutdown.
While the quarantine lasts, only companies that provide essential and sanitary services will be operational. The sectors that remain active include:
- Health: pharmacies, laboratories, veterinarians, producers of medical supplies, etc.
- Public utility services: banks, telecommunications companies, service stations, cleaning, recycling, among others.
- Food: supermarkets, restaurants, bakeries, food production companies.
- Essential trade: hardware stores, paper production companies, essential household goods.
- Security companies.
- Transportation: includes logistics companies, public transportation service, agricultural terminals, etc.
- Media.
- Mail and delivery companies.
In each of these companies it is necessary to apply measures to prevent COVID-19 among workers, suppliers and clients. For this reason, it insists on taking general preventive measures such as maintaining social distance, use of masks, frequent hand washing, disinfection of objects for personal use, among others.
As more businesses can be reopened, these and other measures will need to be implemented to prevent further outbreaks. It is recommended to create a plan with all the procedures that must be applied in the work area.
For example, entry and exit protocols must be established; the number of workers who can stay in one place simultaneously; use of protective material. It is also necessary to define how customers will be served and what to do if a positive case of coronavirus is suspected.
The measures must be evaluated and adapted according to the reality of the company. The IST has a COVID-19 Documentation Center on its website where it reports the official recommendations and instructions on the pandemic.
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Prevention protocols before COVID-19
In the workplace, preventive measures must be reinforced to protect employees. In the same way, it is necessary to disseminate what the protocols are so that everyone knows them and complies properly.
Before reopening any business, it is necessary to be clear about the symptoms of COVID-19. In this way it will be possible act immediately in the event of any indication of the illness. It is necessary to be alert to any worker presenting fever over 38º, coughing or difficulty breathing.
It is recommended to take the temperature of each worker when entering the company. In the event that any one presents symptoms, they should inform their bosses, avoid contact with other people and wear masks. In addition, a medical evaluation must be performed.
In the presence of symptoms or confirmed cases, the actions to follow according to the IST are:
- If there is a confirmed case, you must start quarantine.
- On the other hand, if it is a case with symptoms, you have to go to a healthcare center immediately.
- Workers who have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 must initiate a preventive quarantine.
- If they have had close contact with case 2, they must be quarantined while they wait for the test result.
Limit contact in the work area
Distance is one of the general recommendations to prevent coronavirus. So companies need to find out how to apply this measure in the workplace.
In this sense, the recommendations include avoiding contact when greeting and allowing only the people necessary to operate to enter. This means avoiding visits from outsiders and, in the case of businesses, limiting the number of customers inside.
Although all workers must be protected, priority must be given to those at greatest risk, such as older adults, pregnant women or women who are breast-feeding and people with comorbidities. If possible, allow them to work from home.
As far as possible, face-to-face meetings should be avoided. But if it is necessary to do them, limit the number of people participating and keep at least 1 meter of distance between them.
Likewise, crowds between employees must be avoided. For this reason, it is recommended to establish pro-shift jobs, deferred entry hours and limit the number of personnel in transportation.
Sanitation of the work area
Keeping the work area clean is essential to prevent the spread of the disease. A cleaning plan must be established and special attention must be paid to all contact areas such as switches, door handles, desks, furniture, equipment and more.
Promote the use of gloves and show the correct way to take them off and dispose of them. It is also recommended to keep the areas ventilated; in addition to providing soap and water for hand washing or alcohol gel dispensers.
Promote telework and use of technologies
Many companies already apply this measure and it will be necessary to continue doing so. From home you can carry out administrative tasks, manage marketing and other tasks depending on the type of company.
To avoid face-to-face meetings, video conferences can be held. In addition, digital media, such as email, can be used to review documents and avoid physically passing them from one person to another.
These are part of the COVID-19 Prevention Protocols recommended by the IST. Stay updated and prepare your company to stop the spread.
