COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can spread from one person to another. Individuals who are COVID infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the coronavirus to others. Implementing the guidelines issued by the state or local government may help to prevent workplace exposures to coronavirus. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) also has guidance for significant infrastructure work settings. This guidance for businesses and employers applies to crucial infrastructure workplaces as well.
Role of Businesses and Employers in Responding to COVID-19 Disease
Businesses and employers can play an essential role in preventing and reducing the spread of coronavirus in the workplace. The employers’ should take into account the COVID-19 preparedness, response, and control strategies like feasibility of social distancing in the workplace, ability to stagger worker shifts, the degree to which workers communicate with the public in person, the probability of accomplishing work remotely, the geographical isolation of the workplace, whether workers live in congregate housing external symbol, the proportion of workers at increased risk for severe illness, strategies regarding sick leave for employees, and priority for the continuation of operations. Organizations should also analyze the level of COVID-19 disease transmission in the communities.
Organizations and employers are urged to coordinate with state and local external icon health administrators to receive accurate information to notify appropriate responses. Local circumstances will determine the decisions that public health leaders make regarding community-level policies.
As an organization, if the business procedures were interrupted, returning to normal or phased ventures offers an opportunity to update the COVID-19 preparedness, response, and control methods. All organizations should update and implement as necessary a method that:
- Is specific to the workplace,
- Recognizes all areas and job responsibilities with potential exposures to COVID-19, and
- Includes control measures to reduce or eliminate such exposures.
Discuss with your workers about planned alterations and seek their input. Also, collaborate with workers and organizations to effectively communicate crucial COVID-19 information.
Seek information on how to protect employees from potential vulnerabilities, according to the exposure risk. The methods should consider that workers may be able to spread the virus even if they do not show symptoms.
Every organization needs to consider how best to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. This plan should include actions to:
- prevent and lessen transmission among workers,
- maintain healthy business methods, and
- maintain a healthy work environment.
Final Words
To minimize the spread of COVID-19, organizations may use conferencing or video conferencing when feasible for work-related meetings and gatherings. Also, they should avoid large work-related meetings or gatherings in accordance with state and local guidance.
To know more about the role of organizations in responding to the COVID-19, attend the Compliance Prime webinar.
