Pub. 2 2020 Issue 3

COVID-19: Workplace Safety Best Practices A t this time, it is likely that every essential business has implemented a plan to help in the prevention of COVID-19, but it is our responsibility to continually update and adapt. When evaluating the workplace we must have a good plan of action to keep employees and customers safe. Step 1: Eliminate the Hazard – The Remote Workplace Step 2: Isolate People from the Hazard – Change the Way We Work Step 3: Safety When We Must Have Contact – Take Proper Precautions Step 4: Last Line of Defense – Personal Protective Equipment Eliminating the Hazard – The Remote Workplace The first line of defense against the spread of the virus is to eliminate the hazard. Welcome to the remote workplace. Set up employees whom have the capability to perform their job functions remotely to do so. This will likely only pertain to a select few within the busi- ness, but none the less it is an important step. Now, person to person interaction may not be able to be eliminated but the risk for customers and your employees PAT AUSTIN SENIOR LOSS PREVENTION CONSULTANT WORKSTATION EXAMPLES CUSTOMER TRAFFIC & WAITING AREAS ELIMINATE SHARING • Create barriers between workstations using partitions (i.e. between service writer workstations) • Place plexiglass in front of any employee who must interact with customers (i.e. receptionist, cashier, parts counter, service writers) • Remove seats from your waiting area • Place tape on the floor to direct and contain traffic • Place signage throughout the business stating policies, etc. (This starts before they reach the door) • Remove any shared amenities from break rooms, customer waiting rooms, etc. (i.e. coffee makers, water coolers, shared utensils, plates, etc.) • If possible transition away from touch screen devices (i.e. customer operated debit/credit machines) can be minimized by creating a new work practice when taking a vehicle in for service. It is believed the coronavirus can live in the air for up to three hours. A window can be created to eliminate the hazard. If the customer or business has the ability build in a three hour buffer before getting into the vehicle for service and a 3 hour buffer before returning the vehicle to the customer it drastically reduces or all together eliminates the risk. This is certainly a practice that can be put into place at a collision center. Talk with the insurance carrier and let them know that you would like to build in this buffer time prior to repairing the vehicle (the clock starts when the vehicle is dropped off). Also communicate with your customer when they come to pick up their repaired vehicle that you would like to let the vehicle sit undisturbed for a minimum of three hours. The buffer time does not eliminate the need to disinfect the interior surfaces as findings from the “New England Journal of Medicine” state the virus can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours and on plastic for 2-3 days. Isolate People from the Hazard – Change the Way We Work The focus of isolating people from the hazard means we must isolate people from each other. 18 D R I V E