Making your office safer in the era of COVID
For over a year now, the world has been filled with uncertainty due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Although we have undergone lockdowns and movement control orders to curb the spread of the virus, we must eventually try to get back to some degree of normality and return to work at the office.
It’s evident that much of our day to day safety is based on the physicaldistance between people, and that is something that is especially true for an indoor office space.
It’s crucial that businesses plan appropriately and set up their office to help maintain the safety and health of their employees. Doing so will also afford employees some peace of mind therefore contributing to overall workplace happiness and productivity too.
• Social distancing in the office
One way to create a safer office layout is to modify the way work stations, desks and other furniture are set up to increase physical space
to at least six feet or more between employees. However, depending on the size of your office if you are unable to space out every workstation it is advisable to implement staggered work days to reduce the amount of people in the office at one time. Also either try to prohibit or keep visitors to a minimum.
• Redesign office flow
Change the ways employees navigate through the office by encouraging one way foot traffic and preventing the need to walk in
close proximity to others. Consider designating doorways as “entry only” or “exit only.”
• Utilise plastic shielding or partitions Set up plastic shielding or partitions between desks, the reception area and social spaces. This will help keep some space between employees and will also prevent any potential droplets from leaving that area.
• Increase sanitising stations
Create designated hand-washing and sanitising stations throughout the office to ensure that employees have ample opportunity to keep their
hands clean.
• Equip your office space with no-touch amenities
Invest in touchless rubbish bins and hand sanitiser stations throughout the office. Always provide alcohol based hand sanitiser that is at least
60% alcohol. Also equip all sink areas with touchless hand soap dispensers to encourage frequent hand washing.
• Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and provide acceptable indoor air quality Check that your office ventilation systems are in order and take added measures to ensure that the air quality in the office is adequate. If possible, keep windows open and provide high quality air purifiers throughout the office.
• Regularly sanitise workstations and common areas
Make sure that all areas around the office are cleaned and sanitised daily. Make it a habit for all staff to disinfect their desks, computers and
electronic equipment in the office. Cleaning and maintenance staff should regularly sanitise and clean high touch surfaces in common areas.
As we try to navigate this global public health crisis and adjust to the ‘new normal’, implementing at least some of these guidelines will help contribute to an additional sense of safety and a healthier and happier workplace.