Pandemic Safety Protocol

Several clients have asked us what a safety protocol should include. We have provided below a very basic plan designed for offices but this is not one of those situations where one plan can work for everyone. You should take these concepts and expand on them based on your work environment for offices or field job sites.

ABC Company Safety Protocol

In order to create a safe working environment for you and for our customers, we have implemented the following protocols:

Before Leaving for Work

• You must self-check to confirm you do not have any symptoms.
• If you do have symptoms, do not go into work but call your supervisor immediately.

Upon Arrival at Work

• You must have your temperature taken (and show it is below 100 degrees).
• You must sign off that you do not have any of the symptoms listed on the sign-off sheet.
  (Symptoms include cough, headache, the recent loss of taste or smell, fever or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.)

While at Work

• You must wear a face mask/covering over your mouth and nose whenever:
  • You leave your office or work station for ANY reason.
  • You cannot maintain at least a 6-foot separation from others while in your office or work station.
• Do not enter another employee’s office or work station for any reason.
  • Speak to others by phone or email or stand outside their workspace.
  • Leave any paperwork or other items for an employee in the box outside each workspace for the touchless transfer of items.
  • Eliminate any unnecessary face-to-face communications.
• Wipe your work station and equipment with antiseptic wipes at least once per day.
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with antiseptic soap at least 3 times each day.
• Someone will be assigned the responsibility of wiping down daily the general use areas and door handles.

Customers Entering the Facility

• All non-employees must agree to a temperature check as entering the facility and must be wearing a face mask/covering at all times. 
• Non-employees must stay at least 6 feet from any employee.

If Exposed or Contract Virus

• Inform management immediately of any symptoms or possible exposure.
• If you may have been exposed but have NO symptoms:
  • You may choose to self-quarantine and use any available regular sick or unpaid time off.
  • You may choose to be tested and must remain off work until you receive a negative test result.
• If you DO have symptoms:
  • You will be required to provide certification to determine eligibility for up to 2 weeks of emergency Paid Sick Leave through the Federal Families First/CARES.
  • You must remain off work until you have at least 3 days with no symptoms (or a negative test result).

We want and need you to take safety as seriously as we do. Therefore, failure to adhere to our safety protocols may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Read and Discussed

Include a signature block at the bottom that includes space for the employee’s printed name, signature, and date.

We expect to see COVID-related lawsuits popping up over the next few months. Your best defense is to ensure employees are repeatedly trained/reminded about your specific safety protocols… and writing up employees who ignore them. We can’t provide 100% protection against exposures but we can certainly make the workplace as safe as reasonably possible with just a little effort.