COVID-19 is the latest in a long list of pandemic-level virus, and one of the most deadly to date. The pandemic has impacted every corner of the world which continues to develop.
Pandemic-level viruses are the most deadly to date, and their emergence represents a new normal.
In order to effectively prevent COVID-19 outbreaks within the workplace, you need to be able to manage the virus at the individual and collective levels. Below, you’ll find specific tips on how to effectively manage COVID-19 in the workplace.
Health and Safety | Communicating the Risk
The first and most important workplace safety step in managing the risk of COVID-19 at the workplace is by communicating the risk to all employees. The more they know, the more likely they are to take action.
Conducting WHS prestart meetings, WHS toolbox talks or even workplace health and safety noticeboards will all help with communicating the risks and protocols in which employees should take to mitigate the risks. Furthermore, employers should ensure that adequate WHS plans, procedures,risk assessments and policies and in place and tailored to the workplace in respect to managing COVID-19 in the workplace. Under the WHS Act, it is the duty of the PCBU and officers to provide a duty or care and a safe workplace.
Health and Safety Training
The first step in managing COVID-19 outbreaks is to train your staff. Conducting health and safety inductions and periodic training is a must to all workplace in preventing any health and safety risks, especially in our everchanging COVID-19 environment.
This training should cover the following topics:
The virus’ progression from infection to natural death (how it spreads and how symptoms progress)
- How to identify and isolate an infected individual
- Protocol for handling infected individuals (especially those who are not showing symptoms)
- Work rotations
- Much more!!
It is always a good idea to get workplace health and safety specialists to conduct the training as they are the SME (Subject Matter Experts) and can provide clear and direct guidance, answer difficult questions and provide ongoing safety consulting support. This is exactly what Safetec Safety Solutions does with their team of highly skilled health and safety consultants based all around Australia.
Encourage Self-Protection
One of the most effective ways of managing COVID-19 is to encourage self-protection. This means you need to make sure employees are aware of the virus and how it spreads, and have access to hand sanitizer, PPE and other hygiene essentials. In addition, you can provide pamphlets and easy to read health and safety procedures on COVID-19 prevention so the employees can keep them in their office or place of work.
Establish a WHS Help Desk
There are a number of ways that you can help your employees manage COVID-19. One way is to create a help desk. A help desk is an internal resource that provides WHS assistance to employees with COVID-19-related issues. The help desk could answer questions, organise necessary medical supplies, and provide emotional support for employees.
It is recommended to establish a COVID-19 help desk to reduce the risk of an outbreak occurring in the workplace. This may also help track in and out movements or workers through a designated health and safety management app, implemented alongside your safety management system. By providing employees with the necessary tools for managing their COVID-19 infection, you’ll be able to increase the productivity of your workforce and decrease the chance of an outbreak occurring in your office.
Develop an Health and Safety On-Call Rotating System
The first thing you should do is develop an health and safety on-call rotating system. The goal of this system will be to prevent COVID-19 from spreading through the workforce. Employees that are on call need to be ready to pull extra hours and work through the weekends. It is also a good idea to stagger employees to work in different areas, shifts, days and much more and should be communicated within your WHS covid management plans and health and safety documentation.
Conclusion
Encouraging employees to take responsibility for their own safety is essential in preventing flu outbreaks at the workplace.
It is important to communicate the health and safety risks and seriousness of the situation, conduct workplace health and safety training to all staff on how to avoid being infected, encourage self-protection and establish a WHS help desk.
Finally, develop a health and safety on-call rotating system with a selection of employees that can be called in to work in the event of an emergency. If these steps are taken, your company will be prepared to overcome the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic.
