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The World Health Organization (WHO), in response to the spreading epidemic, has published guidelines for employees and employers. WHO recommends implementing safety rules even where the coronavirus has not yet arrived. Coronavirus has already appeared in Poland – the first case was registered in Zielona Góra.
In January, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced an outbreak of a new coronavirus disease in China’s Hubei Province, which led to international public health crisis. If we are to stop the spread of COVID-19, the whole of society, including companies and employers, must play a role in this, emphasizes the WHO. Instructions on how to proceed to reduce the risk of transmission of infections in the workplace have been posted on the organization’s website. Here’s what the WHO recommends.
Keeping clean
The employer should make sure that the workplaces are clean and hygienic. These are surfaces (e.g. desks and tables) and items (e.g. telephones, keyboards) that are needed clean regularly with disinfectants. One way of spreading infection is through workers and customers touching contaminated surfaces.
Hand washing
Promotion plays an equally important role wash your hands regularly. The employer should place containers with disinfectants in visible places and make sure that they are regularly refilled, as well as post posters to remind them to wash their hands, inform about it during meetings and on the intranet. It is also worth reminding that any advice in this regard can be provided by an occupational health and safety specialist.
Respiratory hygiene
The employer should take care to promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace, make sure that employees who experience symptoms of infection (runny nose, cough) have access to face masks and paper tissues, as well as lockable rubbish bins.
Also read: There are no masks in pharmacies. “They are primarily for the protection of infected people”
What to do in the event of symptoms of infection?
The role of the employer is to inform employees, contractors and clients that if COVID-19 appears in the region, anyone with even a mild one cough or a low fever, he should stay at home (e.g. work remotely). This also applies to people taking medications such as paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen or aspirin, which may mask the symptoms of an infection. This message should be conveyed through all communication channels that are available in the organization or company, and materials promoting this message should be developed. It should not be forgotten to explain that the employer will treat this time as a sick leave period.
See also: 10 Questions About Coronavirus. What do you need to know?
Business travels
It is the employer’s responsibility to remind employees and contractors to read the recommendations of national institutions before traveling on business and make sure they have the latest information on areas where the COVID-19 coronavirus is spreading. These data can be checked on the WHO website.
The organization, based on up-to-date information, should assess the benefits and risks of upcoming travel plans. She should too Avoid sending workers who may be at greater risk of serious illnesses (e.g. the elderly, suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart and lung disease) to areas where the virus is spreading. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all travelers to locations reporting COVID-19 have been instructed by a qualified professional (e.g. health care professional) about safety. The employer should make sure that employees know what to do and who to contact if they feel unwell while traveling. Staff members on business must follow the instructions of the local authority.
An employer or employee, after returning from a trip to a country where COVID-19 is spreading, should:
- monitor your health for 14 days and take the temperature twice a day.
- if you develop even a mild cough or low fever (from 37,3 degrees Celsius) stay home and isolate yourself. Means avoiding close contact (1 meter) with other people, including family members,
- phone your healthcare provider or local public health institution and provide details of your recent trip and symptoms.
The employer should prepare the company for the emergence of COVID-19 disease and have a management plan in place. WHO recommends that the plan include placing the patient in a room or place where he or she is isolated from others, limiting the number of people in contact with the patient, and contacting the local sanitary and epidemiological station. The plan should identify how the business can be kept alive even if a significant number of employees, contractors and suppliers are unable to come to work. It is very important to inform employees and contractors about the plan and make sure they are aware of what they should be doing.
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- Stories of People Who Beat the Coronavirus
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