Establishing + Enforcing Long-Term COVID-19 Procedures
Since the emergence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States, administrative controls—changing behaviors of people—are key to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in communities. From keeping our distance to covering our faces, it’s important to keep everyone on the same page about safe and healthy practices.
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Policies + Procedures
With regulations and recommendations changing quickly, now is a good time to re-evaluate what tools you have in place, and see how you can improve them as the pandemic continues to evolve. Since March, we have learned a great deal about reducing the transmission and your safety policies may need an update. Below we explore the most common policies and procedures organizations are implementing long term, and how you can prepare your workplace with the right administrative controls.
Social Distancing at all Times
What was once difficult to imagine in March has quickly become our new normal. Nearly every workplace, school, store, medical facility, and office must enforce a healthy distance of six feet between people, per CDC recommendations. Without the right visual controls in place, it can be difficult for people to navigate one-way aisles, crowded counters, and keep a safe distance at all times.
By using floor marking and safety signs to indicate spaces of six feet + direct foot traffic around your facility, people are more likely to adhere to your social distancing plan. Installing floor tape and floor signs are cost-efficient, long-lasting solution to help everyone feel more confident moving around in the workplace. Both our floor marking tape and floor signs are made for industrial use so you can create a system that sticks and won’t have to be redone in a few months.
Frequent Handwashing
According to the CDC, good hand hygiene is an important part of the U.S. response to the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19.
Workplaces will either need to have a place for employees, customers, and visitors to wash their hands—or provide an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) containing at least 60% alcohol. As part of COVID-19 procedures, require workers to regularly wash their hands or use an ABHR. Post signs in restrooms and breakrooms reminding employees to clean their hands when they are visibly soiled, after handling PPE, before and after eating food, after using the timeclock, and after using the bathroom.
Because hand hygiene is so crucial, you may want to consider scheduling times outside of breaks specifically for employees to wash their hands. If you have customers coming in on a regular basis, install a hand sanitizer dispenser, such as a touch-free stand, at the entrances of the store so visitors will be more likely to practice good hand hygiene.
Mandatory Face Coverings
From supermarkets and shopping centers to warehouses and construction sites, cloth face coverings are virtually mandatory for any space where social distancing is not feasible. Let workers, customers, and visitors know of your mask policy by posting clear signage at all entrances and at reception desks. To ensure compliance, use messaging to remind everyone that their face covering must cover both their mouth and nose.
Curbside Pick-Up
To comply with many local ordinances, bars and restaurants are needing to operate with their fining areas closed—and are planning to do so throughout the rest of the year. Let customers know on your website and social media pages of any changes in hours or services such as delivery or curbside pickup. You can also:
- Use signs to designate additional parking spots for pickup
- Post signs with instructions for customers arriving, such as a phone number they need to call
- Hang a banner or use an A-frame sign for maximum visibility.
Identify Target Audiences
An important part of creating a visual system is considering who you are trying to target, what information they need, how they will receive it, and how often. If you’re workplace is open to employees, customers, and visitors, be sure you are effectively communicating your COVID-19 policies to everyone. Keep your audiences in mind when selecting your visual controls by considering bilingual signs, Spanish signs, signage with more icons than text, and more.
Make sure signs are posted at eye-level and can clearly be seen. Crowding too many safety signs in spot, for example, can make it difficult to ensure all messages are being read and understood.
Although the future of what the country will look like is uncertain—it’s crucial to keep workers safe and healthy today.
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