States are in the process of implementing a return to work plan, gradually reopening businesses to stimulate the U.S. economy after a weeks-long shutdown due to COVID-19. Most states have stay-at-home orders that change frequently, while others are extending that order until cases subside substantially, with many schools shut through the remainder of the school year. What are the return to work expectations in business? Whenever the return to work begins for businesses, construction, and other manufacturing, workplaces should have efficient protocols and procedures set in place to ensure health and safety.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer workplace guidelines that address proper sanitation and illness response to protect workers and limit the virus' spread. Thousands of essential businesses are operating under the strictest vigilance by scrubbing down facilities, providing personal protective equipment, and adjusting to ensure social distancing. Some workers have begun to return after temporary furloughs, such as at a Boeing facility in Washington. There, the company set up new hand-washing stations, employee monitoring policies, and additional signs as reminders to always follow health and safety guidelines.
"The safety of Boeing employees, their dependents, and visitors to our sites remains a top priority," according to Boeing's statement. "Boeing's Chief Medical Officer and our International Health Services team are continuously tracking health conditions using the guidance of the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We continue to adapt and evolve its emergency management procedures to address the ongoing coronavirus outbreak."
When rolling out new rules for workers as they return to facilities and warehouses, it is important to convey those rules early and often. Remind workers to wash and disinfect at home, including removing work clothes and washing them promptly. Give workers time to prepare and adjust their workday. Safety managers can reinforce regular safety and new policies with the right tools, including visual communication. Use safety best practices and follow guidance from OSHA, the CDC, and local government.
An effective workplace environmental health and safety strategy helps workplaces manage the most important aspects of a business, whether during a crisis or in day-to-day operation. Get key steps to a successful safety program and more in this free EHS Managers guide.