The COVID-19 pandemic has many employers in the manufacturing industry wondering how to get work completed and keep their businesses going all while maintaining the safety of their workforce. Check out the tips below to help keep employees safe and reduce the risk of their exposure to COVID-19.
- Ask workers to stay home if they fell sick
- Consider taking temperatures of employees upon arrival to work
- Educate workers on the signs/symptoms of COVID-19
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Educate workers on what to do if they develop symptoms
- Stagger work shifts and establish flexible work hours
- Implement social distancing of six feet between workers
- Install barriers between workstations or temporarily move workstations for those activities where social distancing is a challenge
- Monitor local public health, state, and CDC communications about Coronavirus recommendations
- Educate workers on your site-specific COVID-19 response/control plan
- Provide PPE as necessary
- Masks (covers both the nose and mouth, fits snuggly)
- Gloves
- Train employees how to properly put on, use/wear, take-off, and maintain PPE
- Remind workers to cover their coughs and sneezes
- Advise employees not to use coworker’s tools and equipment
- Clean & disinfect common areas, work areas, offices, locker rooms, restrooms, and break areas with an EPA approved cleaning agent
- Clean & disinfect frequently touched surfaces and tools/equipment with an EPA approved cleaning agent
- Provide hand washing stations/areas and hand sanitizer
- Use soap and running water
- Scrub between fingers and around/under nailbeds
- Wash for at least 20 seconds
- Use a hand sanitizer, 60% alcohol-based, if soap and running water are not available
- Provide disinfecting wipes
- Encourage frequent hand washing
- Before and after work shifts
- Periodically during the work shift
- Before and after breaks
- Train employees how to properly wash their hands
- Remind employees not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid contact with body fluids
- Consider telecommuting for certain employees where appropriate/feasible
- Limit travel/visits for employees that work between multiple company locations
KEMI does not assume liability for the content of information contained herein. Safety and health remain your responsibility. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for proper training, supervision or manufacturers’ instructions/recommendations. KEMI, by publication of this information, does not assume liability for damage or injury arising from reliance upon it. Compliance with this information is not a guarantee or warranty that you will be in conformity with any laws or regulations nor does it ensure the absolute safety of any person, place or object, including, but not limited to, you, your occupation, employees, customers or place of business.
