defining health and safety protocols.

Reopening workplaces will require new health and safety protocols that take COVID-19 into consideration. Below, we outline some key health and safety measures you may consider implementing to protect your employees when they transition back to work. Ensure that you clearly communicate all recent workplace health and safety procedures with your employees on a regular basis.

1. access, control and quarantine.

• Set clear policies for workplace access.
• Draw up a map of your workplace and map out all key elements employees need to access.
• Request employees to take a leave of absence when they show any sign of COVID-19 symptoms.
• Track and document all building entries and exits.

2. social distancing.

• Set clear guidelines for physical distancing in the workplace: maintaining a distance of two metres between employees, avoiding employee gatherings in common spaces (entrances, exits, stairwells, and inside trailer offices) or in-person meetings in a closed room.
• State the social distancing policy at the entrance zone and in elevators.
• Install floor indicators to help employees respect the two metres distance.
• Install plexiglass panels when social distancing can not be fully respected.

3. hygiene.

• Establish daily disinfection and sanitation procedures.
• Place hand washing stations or hand sanitiser dispensers at the entrance of the building and ask employees to wash their hands upon entry.
• Remind workers of proper hand washing techniques before and after shifts, during breaks, after going to the bathroom, etc. 
• Increase hand washing stations with appropriate hand hygiene reminders.
• Clean and disinfect all common areas at the end of each shift.
• Provide suitable equipment to promote hygiene and prohibit sharing of tools and kitchen utensils to minimise the spread of the virus.
• Clean and disinfect all tools and machinery, and increase cleaning at the end of the day.
• Disinfect keyboards, mouses and phones at the end of the day with anti-bacterial disinfectants, and leave desks empty.

4. facilities and equipment.

• Stop elevator use whenever possible. If that’s not possible, restrict elevators to a limited number of people depending on the size of the lift.
• Stop sharing items such as pens, phones, etc.
• Disinfect printers and photocopiers after each use, or provide hand sanitisers for before and after use. 
• Establish electronic signatures protocol when possible.
• Provide healthcare supplies to your employees.
• Establish protocols to move in a clockwise direction in corridors, hallways and narrow spaces.

5. training and communication.

• Provide training on new work protocols and measures.
• Raise workforce awareness on a regular basis on how employees can stop the spread of the COVID-19.
• Promote mandatory health and hygiene protocols (e.g., hand washing, mask use, glove use) for employees, and provide instruction on proper usage and disposal of these supplies.
• Post informative signage as guidelines and reminders.
• Provide workers with up-to-date information from credible sources.
• Share details on how your company is addressing COVID-19 (i.e. your action plan and available resources).
• Set up an internal taskforce for addressing questions and concerns from employees.
• Build an internal responsibility system where everyone is to do their part.
• Reinforce your company's commitment to health and safety.

important note.

Randstad prepared these resources to share best practices to get back to work safely. The information is intended as a guideline only. Please do additional research and consult with experts before making decisions for your business.