Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As businesses re-open across the country, it is important that we all do our part in preventing and slowing the spread of COVID-19. For many companies in construction and those in the service industry, employees often work in close proximity with others. Keeping your workforce and the public safe should be priority number one.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends having a written COVID-19 Safety Plan in place. Check with your local city or county for specific Safety Plan (aka Safe Reopening Plan) requirements. A well implemented plan will assist in keeping its employees and the public safe. A Safety Plan should have three critical elements; purpose, responsibilities, and safety procedures. Below is a brief explanation of these three critical elements:
Purpose: A safety plan should provide the purpose for why it is in place.
What is Covid-19? Explain the effects of the virus and how it can spread to others.
Control Measures: Train personnel on ways of minimizing exposure of Covid-19.
Personal Protective Equipment: Maintaining recommended supplies, such as respirators, eye protection, gloves, and hand sanitizer.
Compliance: Making sure your business is in compliance with local, State, and Federal emergency response and health agencies.
Responsibilities: A Safety Plan should also provide specific responsibilities for management and staff, such as:
Training and informing all on safety procedures relating to COVID-19.
Implementing a plan across all personnel.
Monitoring the application of the plan.
Safety Procedures: A Safety Plan should have mandatory procedures in place that all personnel are trained on and are strictly adhered. A few examples include:
Practicing good hygiene.
Stop handshaking, use noncontact methods of greeting.
Guidelines on how to properly disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails.
Creating a COVID-19 Safety Plan which explains its purpose, the responsibilities of all personnel, and safety procedures will go a long way in minimizing COVID-19 exposure. It will also have a positive effect on employee and public moral as it shows you are doing your part to stop the spread of the virus.
As your business designs a formal COVID-19 Safety Plan, Rancho Mesa can assist you with a plethora of related safety resources available in both English and Spanish. Visit www.ranchomes.com/covid-19 for a list of available resources.
Resources:
COVID-19 Safety Plan/Return-to-Work Plan Resources
San Diego County Safe Reopening Plan Template
Imperial County Sample Agency COVID-19 Response Plan (4.27.20)
Riverside County Safe Reopening Guidelines 05212020