COVID-19 - Still Here and Still Challenging The Norm

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is trained and prepared to provide fully compliant COVID-19 / Coronavirus sanitizing and disinfecting services.

We first posted our COVID-19 Back To Business Plan blog last year.  At that time, we envisioned it would be a thing of the past.  A challenge we could look back at as bad times gone.  But, sadly, this is not the case, so we are re-posting our blog as businesses continue to re-open.

COVID-19 Back to Business Plan

With all the changes that a person or business encounters after any type of local, national, or global scale disaster we ALL need a plan to get back to business! Without it you will feel the impacts long after the event. We are here to help with some important steps and ideas for you to consider so that you can start off on the right path of getting back to your business normal confidently!

At SERVPRO we have over 50 years of proven experience working to make it "Like it never even happened." A big part to achieving that has been by educating and empowering people and businesses in our local communities with tools they can use to recover or reopen or after a small or large disaster.

With re-opening dates for businesses coming up let us help you!

Pre-reopening and biological contamination prevention suggestions:

• It is crucial to have an Employee Safety/Outbreak Response Plan in place if you don’t already.

• Fogging and high touch cleaning are recommended for businesses before reopening to give peace of mind to your employees and customers, so they feel secure coming back to work or shop. (Please be advised SERVPRO personnel adhere to protocols set forth by the CDC and we have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs daily).

• Set up scheduled cleanings in the future to be proactive instead of reactive.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for employees such as face masks and gloves.

• Temperature Checks as warranted.

• Shift Management / Space Separation / One Way Aisles.

• Regular Hand Sanitation and Hand Washing.

Educating Employees in the Workplace

It’s important to prepare a Healthy work environment and educate Employees on how to safely return to work. It gives peace of mind where there could be fear and educates all employees of new policies and procedures moving forward.

• Practice Good Hygiene! Stop shaking hands – use other non-contact methods of greeting. Clean hands with sanitizer or wash hands frequently. Avoid touching your face and cover coughs and sneezes. Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, keyboards, phones/tablets, light switches, and bathroom fixtures regularly. Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.

• If any employee is feeling sick, they should stay home.

• Under the revised EEOC guidelines as of March 2020, if an employee arrives at work displaying symptoms of an illness the employer may check the employee temperature. As with all medical information, the fact that an employee had a fever or other symptoms would be subject to ADA confidentiality requirements.

• Business owners cannot require employees to have a vaccine if it becomes available.

• Limit food sharing in the workplace.

Back to Business Basics

As professionals and business owners alike, it is important to quickly adapt to our current business climate.

• Consider implementing physical distancing policies and practices.

• Schedule videoconferencing for meetings when possible, when it is not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces.

• Business travel should be assessed case-by-case as to necessity.

• Employers must maintain the confidentiality of any employee with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or other sicknesses. There should be a system and process in place to protect their identity. However, you should inform employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 or other sicknesses because employees have the right to know there is a risk in their workplace. Those employees then can do their own risk assessment of their potential exposure based on guidance from the CDC.

• Introduce supportive and more flexible sick leave policies that are consistent with current health guidance.

• Be mindful that not all employees and customers may display symptoms and it is important to follow set guidelines.

We, at SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County, are experienced in all verticals, and our experts can work with your risk management and/or operations teams to provide consulting and best practices!

Contact us at 973-383-2024 if you have a service need or click here to visit our website to learn more about SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County's System Services.