SAFETY PROSEDURES


As the novel coronavirus continues to spread throughout the world, keeping people and businesses in our communities and across the United States shuttered, the virus is clearly something to be feared. But of the many viruses known to infect humans, what makes this one, which has caused the worst pandemic in a century, so dangerous? The virus that causes COVID-19 is not the most deadly. Ebola kills upwards of 50% of people it infects. The coronaviruses that cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) result in death in about 10% of infections and between 30% to 40% of cases, respectively.


Symptoms

● Fever
● Dry Cough
● Tiredness
● Aches and Pains
● Nasal Congestion
● Runny Nose
● Sore Throat
● Diarrhoea

Action by Employers

● Communicate to employees about COVID-19.
● Instruct supervisors to monitor symptoms of employees at workplace.
● Encourage employees to take temperature regularly and monitor for respiratory symptoms.
● Consider obtaining travel declaration from employees on travel history.
● Conduct mental health assessment among employees and carry out appropriate measures to reduce stress among employees.
● Monitor sick leave and absenteeism among employees. Keep a record of staff sick leave including reasons for leave, duration of leave and current status.


Action by Employees or Students


● Always maintain good personal hygiene.
● Employees are encouraged to take their meals at their desk.
● Limit food handling and sharing of food in the workplace.
● Keep updated on COVID-19.

Action at the Workplace


● Ensure a clean and hygienic work environment through regular disinfection of the office and its equipment.
● Consider a no handshaking policy
● Enforce hand sanitization at entrance for visitors
● Provide easy access to frequent hand washing for employees
● Proper maintenance of toilet facilities and floor drains.
● Provision of lidded rubbish bin, regular refuse disposal and adequate supply of liquid soap and disposable towels.
● Plan for contingency measures in case there are limited human resources e.g. working from home for those on home surveillance, mobilization of employees etc. This is also to avoid stress to employees who have to work during a period of human resource deficiency.
● Consider alternate communication methods e.g. virtual meetings in place of face to face meetings, group chats etc.
● Consider deferring large meetings or events
● Consider having meetings outside in open air if possible