Precautions to observe while going back to work amidst lockdown 4.0

Dr MS Kanwar, Senior Consultant, Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, elaborates on the workplace precautions:

India

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New Delhi, May 20, 2020 :

With Lockdown 4.0 being implemented with lesser restrictions and people joining back the work front, It is important that organizations and employees observe some basic precautions to curb the spread of COVID 19.

For Organizations:

Open up every area of the building and ensure a proper disinfection is done
Every desk space, corners, lifts, staircase handles, door knobs, chair handles, electrical switch points, wash rooms etc to be cleaned/ disinfected
Washrooms to have liquid soap and hand dryers / tissue papers
Hand sanitizers placed at appropriate locations
Cleaning up of air conditioning systems including lift fans
Identify ways to get fresh air inside the work areas rather than closed spaces
Re-organize office spaces keeping in mind Social Distancing
Have enough educational material around for staff to understand the key principles to be followed
Staff who is unwell should be given a mask & not allowed to enter
Small medical facility to be created / organized, where if, anyone doesn’t feel well-could approach
Re-evaluate the biometric systems and find alternatives, if possible
Encourage regular hand-washing or use of an alcohol rub by all participants at the meeting or event
Drinking water facilities to have disposable cups
Staff should carry their own water bottles and tea/coffee mugs. They should clean it themselves rather than sending it for someone to clean. Else use disposable ones
Perfect cleanliness to be followed in kitchens, pantries etc
Check the required stock of disinfectants, tissues, liquid soap, thermal scanner, masks, gloves, etc
Place mats at the entrance that could be dipped in 1% sodium hypochlorite (and changed every 2 hours) to ensure the footwear is clean
All double doors should be kept open to prevent touching doors or knobs
Staff to be educated on saying “Namaste” rather than shaking hands
Advise employees and contractors to consult national travel advice before going on business trips

For Employees:

Use Mask and Gloves. Never leave for office without these essentials. Keep on replacing/ sanitizing them at intervals
Sanitize your hands after touching any alien surface , especially in buses or trains or even inside the cabs
Use a private vehicle if possible or make sure the transport you are taking has social distancing measures in place
Don not touch your face, mouth or nose, as this might increase the risk of infection
Make sure, you do not sneeze or cough in open. Carry a small packet of tissues or handkerchief and keep on replacing them during relevant intervals
Ensure that every employee gets his/her temperature checked before entering the office premises. If not, decisively compel your employer to put in place such a system.
Carry your stationery from home to reduce the risk of being contaminated through office stationery you don’t know who else has touched before
Prefer not to eat from outside
Sanitize your hands every now and then and ensure supremely precautions are also taken inside washrooms
If you find any COVID symptoms – cold, fever, breathlessness or loss of sense of taste or smell – stop going to the office with immediate effect and seek medical attention

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