Ensuring Worker Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

American workplaces face an unprecedented challenge in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the first confirmed U.S. case of coronavirus in January, the situation has escalated rapidly. Every state has reported cases of the virus, with the total U.S. count now rising above 44,000 by March 24. Government and health authorities have provided recommendations for how individuals and communities can help slow the spread of the virus ­– including special guidance for healthcare professionals — and employers have a unique role to play. While workers may take some steps on their own, employers can enforce policies that limit the risks to their employees.

If possible, have employees work remotely

Many employers have responded to this pandemic by embracing remote work. Limiting close contact between workers can reduce the spread of the virus. Given how many co-workers a single employee might interact with each day, working from home provides an extra level of protection. Your workplace might have a remote work policy in place already; however, making this shift for your entire workforce may not be as simple as sending everyone home with a laptop.

Employers considering such a change (or those who have already taken this step) should pay special attention to ergonomics and ensure every employee has the tools necessary to work safely. The goal should be to mirror a worker’s typical workstation, including proper back, wrist and foot support, as well as a monitor, keyboard and computer mouse, if needed. Communicate expectations to your workers and give them an opportunity to secure proper resources before switching to remote work. An internal system to keep track of these “checked-out” resources is crucial, as is clear, ongoing communication with employees during this time.

A newly-remote workforce will need assistance during this unprecedented time. Some workers may be home with children or caring for other family members while also managing their typical workload. Set clear expectations for your workers but be patient to ensure success during this adjustment.

Take precautions in your workplace

Not all workplaces can shift to remote work. Healthcare workers, first responders, law enforcement and manufacturers, for example, may still need to report to a traditional workplace. According to the CDC, all employers should encourage sick employees to stay home, and sick employees should not return to work until the criteria to discontinue home isolation are met. The CDC also recommends separating and sending home employees who begin to show symptoms upon arrival at work or during the workday, and routinely cleaning all frequently touched surfaces.

To protect workers during their shifts, employers should provide and keep stocked hand hygiene stations, tissues, hand sanitizer and no-touch disposal receptacles. These tools should be paired with clear messages about proper hygiene measures such as avoiding handshakes, washing hands for at least 20 seconds and always covering coughs and sneezes. These resources and communications should also be provided to gig economy workers and those who interact directly with customers. The CDC recommends considering options such as curbside pick-up for deliveries, partitions to create a physical barrier or simply increasing the physical space between employees and customers to approximately six feet.

Employers must take measures to prevent close contact between all employees, regardless of their position or location. Enforce social distancing measures of at least six feet for meetings, workstations and common areas like cafeterias. Employers can also consider rotating scheduled breaks, shifts and lunches to limit the number of employees congregating in one place.

Communicate clearly

To properly manage a workplace’s response to this pandemic, it is crucial for every organization to establish a coronavirus task force. No matter the size or number of employees at the organization, an individual or team must be responsible for seeking out regular updates on official recommendations and sharing them throughout the workforce.

The U.S. Department of Labor and the CDC are regularly updating information and guidance, including recommendations for employers. Employers should also check in with local health departments for specialized recommendations, particularly as more states declare “shelter-in-place” guidelines for citizens. Employers should reassure workers that they are following the information from these authorities and should provide an ongoing plan for when employees can expect to receive new information.

Clear, regular communication is key, both from employers and individual employees. Leaders in the workplace must explain new policies while workers should feel empowered to ask questions, speak honestly with supervisors and make informed decisions to stay safe. Every workplace is unique, but following official guidelines and best practices can help protect workers and their loved ones outside of the workplace.