Strategic Guidelines to Prevent Workplace Exposures for Small Businesses Amid the Pandemic

Whether you are able to open up your business or not at this time, it’s definitely time to realize that things aren’t going to be the same as they were before this pandemic. This disease will affect life as we know it, at least for the near term.  

In response to that fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recently updated some new strategies and recommendations for small business owners. In addition, OSHA’s website is a great source to read for guidelines on how to manage the workplace as we enter recovery stages.  

One way is to look at this from a risk perspective and narrow down your options. Make a plan specific to your workplace, by identifying specific needs for your business.

Businesses should base decisions on the level of disease transmissions in their community. And readiness to protect employees and customers from exposure.

Before your assessment of how to safely conduct business, let’s get the facts straight about the new coronavirus. It is mainly spread through droplets of saliva between people, more so if they are coughing or sneezing. It can enter through the mouth, nose and eyes. You can get it from a surface but it is less likely.

Hand washing is crucial to reduce the spread from touching infected surfaces. If you are coming within 6 feet and are not wearing a mask of a COVID-19 patient, you can get sick from just talking to them. The best way to mitigate risk is for both people to wear a mask, and, therefore helping to lessen the chance of transmission through droplets. 

Here is a summary of the new additional CDC guidelines as of May 6, 2020. Much of this information is further detailed on the OSHA website.

1.   Conducting daily health checks, taking peoples temperature for example.

2.   Conducting a hazard assessment of the workplace ask where transmission can take place.

3.   Encouraging employees to wear cloth face coverings in the workplace, if appropriate.

4.   Implementing policies and practices for social distancing in the workplace.

5.  Improving the building ventilation system adding filters for example.

We are all going to have to make a few changes to stay safe. We can do daily health check such as temperature checks and daily communication with employees to maintain the guidelines.

Take a look at your business and decide where disease transmission can happen and reduce the chances.  Overall, the CDC is asking us to take simple proven steps to conduct business and survive through this pandemic.  

Take a look at your business and decide where disease transmission can happen and reduce the chances.  Overall, the CDC is asking us to take simple proven steps to conduct business and survive through this pandemic.  

In order to implement this, you can start by reading OSHA’s guidelines on their site and make a plan for your business. Visit here.

OSHA outlines six steps:

1. Develop an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan
2. Prepare to Implement Basic Infection Prevention Measures
3. Develop Policies and Procedures for Prompt Identification and Isolation of Sick People, if Appropriate
4. Develop, Implement, and Communicate about Workplace Flexibilities and Protections
5. Implement Workplace engineering and administrative controls and safe work practices
6. Identify personal protection equipment needs and provide PPE on a level that makes sense for your business.

Also, you must assess your businesses risks. Are you on the frontlines with covid 19 patients or are you a restaurant trying to get food to the customers?

In addition, we need to make it clear to employees so they can follow the guidelines for your business.  One thing that comes to mind is that if your employee is wearing a mask, and a customer is not, then they could cough and water droplets could get your employees eyes.

Personally, I would feel better having my employee wear glasses or stand behind a plastic screen if they are in close contact with customers who aren’t wearing a mask.

Some things recommended are air filters on heating ventilation and air conditioning systems. Plastic screens at point of purchase and wearing masks and gloves specially around any sick employees.

Daily health checks, taking employees temperature for example. The CDC is also asking us to send employees home if they are sick, and to be lenient with employees who have to take care of a loved one at home.