Coronavirus – How to Keep Staff Safe in the Workplace

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 continues to spread around the global. It is a pandemic of epic proportions, something that most of us have never seen or experienced in our lifetime. As medical experts continue to try and find a vaccine, we are left trying to stop ourselves from contracting the virus. If you are running a business, here are some ways to keep your employees and customers safe.

Promote Good Hygiene Practices

There are many ways to keep yourself, clients, and employees safe when they come to your premises. Employers should take preventative steps to lower their chance of contracting the coronavirus, this also applies to staff members. As a business owner, you are obliged to provide safety precautions to reduce the spread of any pathogen in the workplace.

Members of staff should follow some basic guidelines, such as:

• Frequently cleaning their hands for up to 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Using alcohol-based hand disinfectant when soap and water is not available.
• Wearing a mask to prevent anyone catching the virus.
• Avoid close contact where possible.

To facilitate these practices, employers must ensure they keep stock well-maintained. Many industries are now taking advantage of innovative ideas such as PPE Vending Machine. These machines contain all kinds of items which dispense face masks, bacterial tissues, disposable gloves, hand gel and more. You can customise the vending machine, so it offers the items you, customers, or your staff need.

Routine Cleaning

It is vitally important to keep the workplace clean and routinely use cleaning agents to eliminate any pathogens or debris that may have found its way onto equipment. As a business owner, it is your duty to keep any surfaces which are frequently touched, clean. Your staff should be supplied with disposable wipes or they should have access to free vending machines as discussed above. If you work in the food industry, this is incredibly important.

Speak to Staff About Travel Plans

Certain areas of the world have been hard hit by the coronavirus. If employees are travelling out of town, they should know about the situation at the destination they are travelling to. If the infection rates are high, they should consider postponing or cancelling their trip. Employees should check themselves for symptoms of the virus if they have been away.

Encourage Sick Staff Member to Stay Home

Although it is understandable that people want to get back to work and make money, they should not put others in jeopardy if they are feeling unwell. Health professionals recommend that people isolate themselves if they have any signs of a fever or have a respiratory illness.

Information continues to change with regards to the coronavirus. One thing you can do as a business owner is take steps to keep your employees safe. Installing a PPE vending machine and taking other measures is the best way to protect you, your staff, and customers. It is also important to keep an open dialogue between yourself and employees.