7 Tips for More Work Safety in Times of COVID-19

With the government easing protective measures, many workers are now returning from the home office to work. The occupational safety expert from Quality Austria explains how employers can avoid a COVID-19 infection of their employees as part of seven tips.

1. Create a basis of trust and provide extensive instruction

In addition to the executives, preventive workers such as safety specialists or occupational physicians are of great importance. It is up to them to create a trusting working basis. Since there is currently a lot of wrong or a confusing flood of information circulating in the media, these people can counteract uncertainty on the part of the employees with clear and precise information and instructions. However, it is important not to stir up fears, but rather to build trust in the protective measures, Business Developer for Risk and Security Management, Business Continuity, Transport at Quality Austria.

2. Evaluate hazards and derive measures

The most important task at the moment is to evaluate the risks and dangers that employees are confronted with in their everyday work. Once these have been identified, measures and instructions for action can be developed from them to ensure the protection of employees and thus also the efficiency of the company. Management systems such as ISO 45001 (occupational safety and health) or ISO 22301 (avoidance of business interruptions) can provide those responsible in companies with great support.

3. Avoid contact where possible

The most important way of transmission is that by droplet infection with close contact from person to person. The first thing to do is to avoid (direct) contact with other people as much as possible or to postpone it until this is possible without the risk of infection. Alternative options for meetings are also conceivable - instead of meetings in large groups or personal customer appointments, numerous tools such as video conferences have established themselves here, which represent a good substitute.

4. Technical measures for worker protection

Where personal contact cannot be avoided, technology can help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. So you can set up boundaries such as dividing discs or build barriers or mechanical barriers to create more distance between people. The separation of work areas by using other rooms or moving tables apart is also helpful.

5. Good organization works wonders

Likewise, there are no limits to creativity when it comes to organizational measures. For example, you can stagger the work over time and only make simultaneous work necessary if technically absolutely necessary. In meetings, training courses or handovers that cannot be replaced by video or telephone conferences, the greatest possible distance must be created between the participants. Frequent ventilation of rooms can also minimize the risk of transmission.

6. Use personal protective measures

Something that has already established itself in our culture over the past few weeks is the avoidance of hand contact, which should definitely be maintained. The minimum distance to other people in the company should be one meter. If this cannot be ensured, mouth and nose protection, face shields or - where necessary - FFP protective masks are mandatory. According to the WHO, masks, glasses or gloves are generally not required, but regular hand hygiene by washing hands or using a disinfectant, emphasizes Bauer.

7. Rely on a role model

The best instruction, the most creative information notices and the coolest instructions via e-mail can never achieve what can be achieved by management and preventive staff by consistently demonstrating the protection requirements. Even if mouth and nose protection is uncomfortable, it serves to protect everyone - therefore, those people who ignore the prescribed protective measures should also be consistently informed about compliance.