clearly defining your health and safety protocols.

Reopening workplaces will require new health and safety protocols that take COVID-19 into consideration. Below, we outline some key health and safety measures you may consider implementing to protect your employees when they transition back to work.

access control and quarantine.

• Set clear policies for workplace access .
• Draw up a map of your workplace and map out all key elements employees need to access.
• Request employees quarantine when they show any sign of COVID-19 symptoms.
• Track and document all building entries and exits.

social distancing.

• Set clear policies for physical distancing in the workplace: maintaining a distance of 2 metres between employees, avoiding employee’ gatherings in common spaces (entrances, exits, stairwells, and inside trailer offices) and in-person meetings or in a closed room.
• State the social distancing policy at the entrance zone and elevators
  
  Install floor indicators to help employees respect the 2 metre distance.
• Install plexiglass panes when social distancing can not be 100% respected.

hygiene.

• Establish daily disinfection procedures.
• Place hand washing stations at the entrance of the building and ask employees to wash their hands upon entry.
• Remind workers of proper hand washing techniques before and after shifts, during breaks, after going to the bathroom, etc. 
• Increase hand washing stations with proper hand hygiene reminders.
• Clean and disinfect all common areas at the end of each shift.
• Provide proper equipment to promote hygiene and prohibit sharing of tools to minimise the spread of the virus.
• Clean and disinfect all tools and machinery, and increase cleaning at the end of the day.
• Disinfect keyboards, mouses and phones at the end of the day with anti-bacterial disinfectants, and leave desks empty.

facilities and equipment.

• Stop elevator use whenever possible. If that’s not possible, restrict elevators to 2 people at a time.
• Stop sharing items such as pens, phones, etc.
• Disinfect printers and photocopiers after each use, or finding alternative solutions to their use.
• Establish electronic signatures protocol where possible.
• Provide critical supplies to your employees.
• Establish protocols to move in a clockwise direction in corridors, hallways and narrow spaces.

training and communication.

• Provide training on new work protocols and measures.
• Raise workforce awareness on a regular basis on how employees can stop the spread of the COVID-19.
• Promote mandatory health and hygiene protocols (e.g., hand washing, mask use, glove use) for employees, and provide instruction on proper usage and disposal of these materials.
• Post informative signage as reminders and guidelines.
• Provide workers with up-to-date information from credible sources.
• Also share details on how your company is addressing COVID-19 (i.e. your action plan and available resources.)
• Set up an HR support line for addressing questions and concerns from employees.
• Build an internal responsibility system where everyone is to do their part.
• Reinforce your company's commitment to health and safety.