COVID-19 Health and Safety Tips

COVID-19 Health and Safety Tips

11 May, 2020

Following the UK government’s revised “lockdown” criteria, together with issuing of guidance for the phased return to the workplace for several industry sectors including construction and manufacturing, we are launching a new service to support employers managing health and safety. Below free daily health and safety tips are part of our initiative to help the businesses.

  1. Practice social distancing, even if you have no coronavirus symptoms.
  2. Encourage your employees to report if they feel unwell, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
  3. Make sure your face mask has a proper seal and protective gloves are regularly replaced.
  4. Encourage restaurant customers to pay ahead online for takeaway orders.
  5. If an employee becomes sick, disinfect their workstation and tools.
  6. Screen employees before they enter the workplace.
  7. Increase the distance between workstations.
  8. Use approved cleaning chemicals to disinfect against the coronavirus.
  9. Flexible leave policies can help keep employees safe and healthy.
  10. Encourage employees to raise any health and safety concerns.
  11. Stay current on public health recommendations.
  12. Provide adequate handwashing facilities, regular hand washing is essential to your safety and health.
  13. Discourage employees from sharing work tools.
  14. Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly.
  15. Use signage and floor markings to facilitate social distancing, especially in crowded areas (for example, where queues may form).
  16. Use signage to direct movement into lanes, if feasible, while maintaining a 2 metre distance.
  17. Where it is not possible to remain 2 metres apart, staff should work side by side, or facing away from each other.
  18. Make sure employee’s contact numbers and emergency contact details are up to date.
  19. Use physical barriers or warning lines to aid social distancing.
  20. Post handwashing signs in workplace restrooms and where needed.
  21. Read and follow MSDS and safety labels on containers of cleaning chemicals.
  22. Be mindful, high-risk job tasks may need more protection.
  23. Encourage sick employees to stay home.
  24. Wash your hands after removing gloves or protective equipment.
  25. Wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  26. Wash your hands after visiting a public space, including public transport and markets.
  27. Wash your hands when you go home or into your work.
  28. Never mix cleaning chemicals that contain bleach and ammonia.
  29. Encourage flexible work hours or staggered shifts.
  30. Avoid sharing desks, phones, stationery or other tools with other employees.
  31. Clear communication is essential in a pandemic, informed workers feel safe at work.
  32. Use the “hierarchy of controls” to select ways of controlling health and safety hazards.
  33. It is essential to develop an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan.
  34. Consider employee’s individual risk factors (e.g., older age; pregnancy) when doing your risk assessment.
  35. Immediately isolate people who have signs and/or symptoms of COVID-19.
  36. Increase ventilation rates in the work environment reduce exposure to hazards.
  37. Apply administrative controls e.g. changes in policy or procedures to reduce or minimize exposure to a hazard.
  38. Minimize contact among employees and customers by using virtual communications if feasible.
  39. Establish alternating workdays or extra shifts to reduce the total number of employees in a facility at a given time.
  40. Eliminate nonessential travel with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks.
  41. Provide employees with up-to-date training and information on COVID-19 risk factors and control measures.
  42. Keep regular contact with employees working from home so that they feel connected.
  43. Encourage deliveries that do not require person-to-person contact.
  44. Limit the number of passengers riding in shared vehicles at a single time.
  45. Avoid using damaged or damp respirators.
  46. Provide enough equipment and tools to eliminate the need to share them.
  47. Sanitize key fobs and steering wheels before and after servicing vehicles.
  48. Have a plan if COVID-19 emerges or resurges after your business reopens.
  49. Limit the number of staff in the shared canteen at a single time.
  50. Explore how technologies can help limit customer contact.
  51. Encourage employees to self-evaluate for COVID-19 symptoms before coming to work.
  52. Post directional signs in hallways/corridors to assist workers/customers.
  53. Assign the same workers to the same shifts with the same coworkers.
  54. Wash your hands before touching masks, gloves or any PPE.
  55. Provide ventilation in areas where dental patients are treated.
  56. Open vehicle windows to increase airflow.
  57. Separate receptionist from customers with clear shields.
  58. Train workers the correct use, wear, store and disposal of PPE.
  59. Install plexiglass partitions between workstations as needed.
  60. Encourage customers to submit prescriptions online or by phone.
  61. Clean and disinfect vehicle door handles.
  62. Provide delivery workers with cleaning products.
  63. Stock stores when few or no customers are present.
  64. Stagnant water systems can lead to Legionella hazards during the reopening.
  65. Bring unsafe work conditions to your supervisor’s attention.
  66. Sanitize any equipment and tools that workers share.
  67. Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.
  68. Remove a respirator from behind.
  69. Face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing measures.
  70. Make it a habit to disinfect work surfaces and equipment.
  71. Clear communication promotes confidence during a pandemic.
Horizon Risk Consultancy Ltd is proud to renew our Membership of BSI Associate Consultant Programme (ACP).
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