Whether your business has been open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, or you are just starting to open back up, it is critical that you implement proper exposure controls. Employers are always responsible for workplace safety, and that extends to keeping employees safe from the spread of this (or any) virus. Fortunately, there are many things that an employer can do to help limit the risk of exposure in their facilities.
Enforcing Social Distancing
Keeping employees separated from each other and separate from customers or other visitors to the facility is one of the most effective ways to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19. There are many ways that this can be done. The ideal option is to implement policies that will make sure that nobody comes within six feet of another person. Unfortunately, that is not always a realistic option. When this is the case, it may be possible to install partitions to provide additional protections. In any situation where people need to come into contact with each other, it is beneficial to make sure that all parties who are able are wearing a face mask.
Use of Face Masks
Face masks help to keep the particles that contain the virus contained when someone is breathing, talking, sneezing, coughing, or any other action that would normally expel tiny particles of mucus, saliva, or other virus containing particles. While it is not likely 100% effective, this is a necessary precaution to keep the workplace as safe as possible. Depending on the type of work being done, and the level of risk in the area, an employer may make it mandatory for customers to wear masks as well. For lower risk environments, wearing a mask for customers may only be a recommendation, but employees should always be asked to wear one unless they have a medical condition that prevents it.
These are two of the most effective ways to implement exposure controls in the workplace. Minimizing the risk of exposure at work will help to keep people healthy and prevent a resurgence of the virus from occurring.
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