6 Simple Strategies To Prepare Your Workplace For Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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There is a lot of heightened anxiety today around the Coronavirus outbreaks in Australia and overseas. While it is a concerning situation, it’s important to maintain a calm and considered outlook in the workplace. In challenging times, people seek stability and clarity from their employers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of international concern following an outbreak of a new strain of Coronavirus in the Hubei Province of China. According to WHO there is a high risk of this disease, now named COVID-19, spreading to countries all over the world.
Given the nature of the infection, it is important that people from all sections of the society, and not just the public health authorities, take steps to prevent its spread. It means your workplace should be prepared too.
How COVID-19 spreads
The virus is not airborne. The infection occurs when the fluids from the infected person as they cough or sneeze is discharged to those nearby. The discharge can infect nearby surfaces and objects too. If someone touches these surfaces and objects, and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, they are likely to be infected. [1]
Proximity to an infected person (within a metre) could lead to infection as the droplets coughed or exhaled are released on to the other person. It means the COVID-19 virus spreads in the same way as the flu virus.
It is expected that most people infected with COVID-19 might only experience mild symptoms and recover. However, some cases could be fatal. Higher the age, higher the risk – it is said. So people over 40 years of age could be more vulnerable than those under 40. People with weak immune systems and those with conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease are also highly vulnerable.
Image from Health.gov.au
Although the rate of spread of the disease is alarming, there is no need to panic. Here are some simple steps to prevent the spread of infections in the workplace.
Important: Even if COVID-19 has not arrived in your workplace or community, you should start taking these steps right now.
1. Promote a clean, hygienic workplace ethos:
All surfaces in the workplace should be cleaned with disinfectant regularly. This includes desks, tables, telephones, keyboard, and all other office equipment used at your workplace.
Promote regular and thorough hand washing by employees, and others at your workplace.
Place sanitising hand rub dispensers at accessible areas around the workplace. Ensure they are refilled regularly.
Put out posters promoting hand washing.
Combine this with the guidance from occupational health and safety officers, briefings at meetings and information on the intranet to promote hand washing.
Ensure that staff and customers have access to places where they can wash their hands with soap and water.
Remember: Washing with soap and water kills the virus on your hands and prevents the spread of COVID-19.
2. Promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace.
If COVID-19 starts spreading in your workplace or community, inform and communicate the message that people need to stay at home even if they have just mild symptoms of COVID-19.
There are many resources on the Australian Government Health Department website for employers to use, for instance posters that display this messaging.
Ensure people understand the correct way to wash their hands, a handy tip is to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to yourself as you should wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds.
Display posters promoting respiratory and hand hygiene.
Ensure that face masks and/or paper tissues are available at your workplace along with closed bins for hygienically disposing of them.
3. Advise employees and contractors to take advice on travel, before going on business trips.
For more information on travelling overseas and to keep up to date with travel restrictions, refer to the Australian Government Smart Traveller website. There are daily alerts on new restrictions and travel bans that will likely affect planned business trips. [2]
4. Develop a plan of action if someone becomes ill with suspected COVID-19 at your workplace
The plan should include isolation/quarantine of the sick person limiting the chances of spread and contacting the local health authorities.
Find ways to identify persons at risk, as well as ways to support them without any prejudice.
Coordinate with the local public health authority while developing the plan and modify it according to their inputs.
For the latest health advice and information, visit the Australian Government Health Department website or you can call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450. [3]
5. Encourage remote working across your organisation
This could be especially helpful if there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community and there is a restriction on travel and using public transportation facilities.
Review whether your employees have the necessary access to systems and tools to be able to work remotely and offsite.
6. Create an emergency business continuity plan
It could mean business as usual even if there is an outbreak in the communities you operate.
Taking adequate precautions and careful planning can make a big difference. Act now to protect your employees and your business.
Get In Touch
If you would like to learn more about HR for your business contact us for a no obligations phone call with Iolanda Hazell, Director, Infinity HR, at info@infinityhr.com.au
About The Author
Iolanda Hazell is Director & Founder of Infinity HR, helping businesses create a people-first workplace culture. With over 18 years HR expertise, Iolanda works with small to large organisations to create tailored people strategies that achieve business goals."
Reference Sources:
[1] The entire guide has been developed based on a detailed guide issued by WHO on 27 February 2020
[2] Australian Government Health Department website
[3] Australian Government Smart Traveller website
Disclaimer
The information provided on our blog is designed to provide helpful information, and does not constitute legal advice, and not intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice in relation to any particular matter you or your organisation may have.