Arindam Bhadra: post COVID-19

Guidelines for workplace when reopen post COVID-19 lockdown

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) disease among industrial workers and office staff when commercial activities resume in various states of India, the states, district administration and the labour department already issued a detailed advisory for business units reopening while the lockdown is still in place. The labour department said that since the city has a unique mix of industrial and office workforce, owing to closeness with other national Capital region cities, it has been decided to apply more stringent measures in a few domains to prevent the spread of this disease.

Additional labour commissioner of NCR, Haryana. “All organisations are expected to align their operations to these guidelines to ensure safe working conditions. In case the companies don’t comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP), their permissions will be withdrawn and criminal proceedings would be initiated against them,” he said.

What is COVID-19

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV. The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. These symptoms are similar to the flu (influenza) or the common cold, which are a lot more common than COVID-19. This is why testing is required to confirm if someone has COVID-19.

How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected from and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and the virus has now spread to many countries and territories.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new guidelines for the restarting of manufacturing units post coronavirus lockdown. As per the new guidelines, the production units have been asked to consider first week after the lockdown ends as a trial period. The new guidelines address the issues from accommodation to sanitization needs. It also asks the companies to not target high production in the first week of operations.

"When Lockout/Tagout procedures are not in place, many energy sources can prove to be hazardous to operators/supervisors who are servicing or maintaining electrical, mechanical or chemical equipment. When heavy machinery and equipment are not maintained periodically, they can become dangerous for the operators/engineers," NDMA said in a statement.

Key Messages & Actions for workplace administrators or safety Managers

Following basic principles can help keep students, teachers, and staff safe at school

· sick worker or employee and other staff should not come to workplace.

· Promote regular and thorough hand-washing by employees, contractors, and customers.

· Workplace should promote physical distancing, only two worker or employee can do work. Seating arrangement also be spread.

· Combine with other communication measures such as offering guidance from occupational health and safety officers, briefings at meetings, and information on intranet sites to promote hand-washing

· Display posters promoting respiratory hygiene. Combine this with other communication measures such as guidance from occupational health and safety officers, briefing at meetings, and information on the intranet, etc.

· Office room, workstation, cabin room temperature should under 24

to 30

. Relative humidity within 40% - 70%.

· Ensure that face masks (Ordinary medical masks rather than N95 masks) or paper tissues are available at your workplaces, for those who develop a runny nose or cough at work, along with closed bins for hygienically disposing of them.

Disinfect workplace

Clean and disinfect workplace area & buildings and especially water and sanitation facilities at least once a day, particularly surfaces that are touched by many people (Chair-table, elevator, railings, lunch tables, sports equipment, door and window handles, tools, entrance electronic gate, learning aids etc) or restricted area (Lab equipment, AC, DVR/NVR, Amplifier, any type controller, Fire Panel, Pump House, Hose, Fire Extinguisher, Access Reader etc) through Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2). This sanitizer not applicable for Human skin. Primarily as a cleaning and disinfecting agent.

SANITIZING TUNNELS are disinfecting passageways for human use if sprays are non-flammable & non-toxic Super oxidized water Hypochlorous acid (HOCL). If purchase from vendor, vendor should share Lab test report & national or international certificate.

Verify Electrical System

Carry out the visual inspections of the distribution boards, switch boards. This is to ensure that during lock down insects have not got trapped in the electrical apparatus. If possible, get the earth values check of the earth pits.

Ensure that all stand by equipment’s are tested for the operations, such as DG sets. Ensure to have those equipment’s in auto mode, if they were kept in auto mode prior to the lock down.

Lift operator should strictly use gloves and mask during duty hours.

Verify CCTV System

CCTV surveillance is now an integral part of the school, collage across the world. Visual inspection of all the components for any kind of damage or loose connections, which might have happened during the lockdown period.

Verify CCTV video footage of each camera and all the recorders (DVR/NVR/Servers etc.) for last 60days. Must be implement thermal image scanning body temperature camera. It can be handheld / tripod standing type. the government will ask all major companies that reopen with permits to share their CCTV footage. “We will make it mandatory for all bigger organisations to share CCTV footage. We will set up a control room where our industry department will monitor this feed to ensure that the social distancing norms are being followed,” said additional chief secretary and GMDA chief VS Kundu.

Verify PA System

Student Announcement or class bell system is integral part of the school, collage across the world. Visual inspection of all the components for any kind of damage or loose connections, which might have happened during the lockdown period along with proper functionality of all the speakers through announcement.

Verify Fire Detection & Protection System

Visual inspection of all the components for any kind of damage or loose connections, which might have happened during the lockdown period alongwith check any fault indication on panel.

Test Detection system through fauls smoke (using aerosol) & Pulling MCP and chk notification signal, other hand test fire Electrically Driven Main (Hydrant / Sprinkler/ Jockey) pump start value stop value, Diesel Driven Pumps etc. Checked all fire Extinguisher are in correct place and healthy.

Workplace attendance

Strictly avoid attendance thru fingerprint based biometric machines instead use face/eye scanning biometric machines or wave-based machine. Visual inspection of all the components for any kind of damage or loose connections. If Body temp screening camera not installed then implement thermal Face scanning Solution can be integrate with attendance solution. There should be no overlap of shifts. A minimum time of an hour should be there between two shifts for cleaning to take place. Managerial and administrative staff should work one shift at 33 per cent capacity as per MHA guidelines; but while deciding which particular person to be included in 33% at any given point of time, overriding priority should be given to personnel dealing with safety.

Posters, helpline and training

Posters with approved guidelines and messages must be displayed. Regular drill and training of employees must be conducted maintaining six feet of distance. Frequent announcements must be made on the floor to remind workers to be mindful of their actions. Contact numbers of government helplines must be displayed.

The following precautions to be taken before starting any activity on these Plant and Machinery as well as stacks:

(i) Prior to start of any activity, location specific risk assessment to be done by Safety In-charge.

The location wise risk assessment to take care of aspects like:

o Integrity of Assets (Condition of Batching plants, winch machine, lifting tools & tackles, back stay/guy rope arrangements etc.) & strength of the same.

o Inspection of erected tower cranes/ gantries for any missing parts.

o Stability of Scaffolding & other work platform/ arrangements before loading or permitting workers to climb on.

o Safety of Electrical systems including Earthing.

o Biological Hazards (Snakes/other poisonous reptiles or insects), clearing of bushes& spraying of chemical repellents to be carried out.

(ii) After preparation of location specific risk assessment, a thorough inspection to be carried out on the identified risks and corresponding control measures & to be recorded & approved by Safety In-charge.

(iii) Safety critical inventories like Cranes, lifting tool and tackles, DG Sets, Scaffolds etc., to be got re-inspected and certified Safe worthy by competent person/ OEM.

(iv) Disinfection of Incoming materials at project sites

(i) Incoming materials may be contaminated while transportation and hence all incoming material vehicles arriving to the project sites shall be parked at stores/ safe location and the material should not be handled/touched for stipulated hours.

(ii) Thereafter all the new material to be disinfected with recommended concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) solution before use except for items which can reacts with the disinfectant.

(v) Ensure no sharing of tools or workstations to the extent possible. Provide additional sets of tools if needed.

Key Messages & Actions for workplace Members

COVID-19 is a new virus and we are still learning about how it affects children.

Understand basic information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including its symptoms, complications, how it is transmitted and how to prevent transmission.

Remember that symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or fever can be similar to those of the flu, or the common cold, which are a lot more common.

Prevention of Spread of Virus amongst Workers

For Workers/ staff staying at Labour Colony/ Camps/ Site

(i) It shall be mandatory for all the workers/ staff to wear face mask, hand gloves and full sleeve shirt/ kurta/ trouser/ pyjama all the time so that their faces, hands, arms and legs are covered. Sufficient number of safety masks, gloves, safety shoes, helmets etc., shall be arranged for all workers.

(ii) Regular visit of Doctor/ medical staff in the labour camp. Tie up with nearby hospital dealing with COVID 19 testing and treatment to be ensured. Contact mobile number of the doctor/medical assistance shall be prominently displayed in the camp at number of locations. Routine medical check-up of each labour/ staff by qualified medical staff shall be ensured at least once in a week.

(iii) Any person with symptoms of COVID-19 infection shall be immediately placed in designated isolation rooms. In case of positive test results for COVID-19, he should be admitted to designated hospitals or Government quarantine center.

(iv) Physical distancing shall be ensured in labour camps by providing adequate number of rooms for workers.

(v) Food items, vegetables and other items of daily requirement for the labours / staff shall be arranged by the contractor from one or more reliable sources in the camp itself and no one from the camp will be allowed to move out for these requirements. Labour camp to be cordoned off

(vi) Consumption of liquor shall be strictly prohibited in labour camps as it may result in violation of physical distancing.

(vii) List of worker/ staff leaving and entering each labour camp shall be maintained and updated every day. Any missing worker shall be reported and traced immediately.

(viii) Transportation of workers/ staff from labour camp shall be only by designated vehicles/buses with physical distancing maintained in the vehicles/ buses. They should return back by same vehicle. Once the workers/ staff are back to the camp, they shall clean their hands with soap thoroughly before going to their rooms.

Organizing meetings and events

Organizers of meetings and events need to think about the potential risk from COVID-19 because, there is a risk that people attending your meeting or event might unwittingly bring the COVID-19 virus to the meeting. Others might be unknowingly exposed to COVID-19.

BEFORE the meeting or event

• Check the advice from the authorities in the community where you plan to hold the meeting or event. Follow their advice.

• Consider whether a face-to-face meeting or event is needed. Could it be replaced by a teleconference or online event? Could the meeting or event be scaled down so that fewer people attend.

• Pre-order sufficient supplies and materials, including tissues and hand sanitizer for all participants. Have surgical masks available to offer anyone who develops respiratory symptoms.

• Make sure all organizers, participants, caterers, and visitors at the event provide contact details: mobile telephone number, email, and address where they are staying. State clearly that their details will be shared with local public health authorities if any participant becomes ill with a suspected infectious disease. Anyone who does not agree to this condition cannot attend the event or meeting.

• Develop and agree a response plan in case someone at the meeting becomes ill with symptoms of COVID-19 (dry cough, fever, malaise). Identify a room or area where someone who is feeling unwell or has symptoms can be safely isolated

DURING the meeting or event

• Provide information or a briefing, preferably both orally and in writing, on COVID-19 and the measures that organizers are taking to make this event safe for participants. Build trust. For example, as an icebreaker, practice ways to say hello without touching.

• Encourage participants to cover their face with the bend of their elbow or a tissue if they cough or sneeze. Supply tissues and closed bins for disposal.

• If there is space, arrange seats so that participants are at least 1 meter apart.

AFTER the meeting

• Retain the names and contact details of all participants for at least one month. This will help public health authorities trace people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 if one or more participants become ill shortly after the event.

• If they develop even a mild cough or low-grade fever (i.e. a temperature of 37.3 C or more) they should stay at home and self-isolate. This means avoiding close contact (less than 1 meter) with other people, including family members. They should also call their health care provider or the local public health department, giving them details of their recent travel and symptoms.

New Workmen/ staff joining

(i) Induction of new Workers / staff should be avoided as far as possible. Worker/ staff from hot spot or potential risky areas should not be inducted at site at all.

(ii) If a new worker is coming to site, his background should be verified to know any history of illness/disease. Each new worker/ staff should be checked for any COVID19 symptoms by qualified Doctor even if the information provided by him is satisfactory.

(iii) All the newly inducted person should be kept in a separate camp and not allowed to mix up with existing workers for 14 days. Separate work area to be allocated for newly inducted persons for 14 days.

(iv) B riefing should be given to them regarding precautions and procedure to be adopted before entering the camp/ work site for the first time.

Gutkha, tobacco, smoke breaks

The use of gutkha and tobacco products has been banned. It is also encouraged that employees get prescription nicotine patches or gums to avoid smoking. Smoking at public places is anyway a punishable offence and if companies have closed smoking rooms then these should be closed.

Key Messages & Actions for employee’s travel

Before traveling

– Make sure your organization and its employees have the latest information on areas where COVID-19 is spreading. You can find this at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/.

– Based on the latest information, your organization should assess the benefits and risks related to upcoming travel plans.

– Avoid sending employees who may be at higher risk of serious illness (e.g. older employees and those with medical conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease) to areas where COVID-19 is spreading.

– Make sure all persons travelling to locations reporting COVID-19 are briefed by a qualified professional (e.g. staff health services, health care provider or local public health partner)

– Consider issuing employees who are about to travel with small bottles of alcohol-based hand rub. This can facilitate regular hand-washing.

While traveling:

– Encourage employees to wash their hands regularly and stay at least 1 m away from people who are coughing or sneezing.

– Ensure employees know what to do and whom to contact if they feel ill while traveling.

– Ensure that your employees comply with instructions from local authorities and any local restrictions on travel, movement, or large gatherings where they are travelling.

Return from traveling:

– Employees who have returned from an area where COVID-19 is spreading should monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days and take their temperature twice a day.

– If they develop even a mild cough or low-grade fever (i.e. a temperature of 37.3 C or more) they should stay at home and self-isolate. This means avoiding close contact (less than 1 m) with other people, including family members. They should also call their health care provider or the local public health department, giving them details of their recent travel and symptoms.