Spirits were high at the beginning of 2020 as people were looking forward to a new year full of possibilities. Now, the mood has shifted drastically as the world has descended into chaos with the emergence and spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. What does this mean for businesses and the workplace? What are we, as safety champions, doing about this?
Our job is to raise awareness and step up our game to protect our team and ensure the safety of those around us. It is in tough times like these that true leaders emerge, and with the proper approach, we can all rise to the challenge.
What is COVID-19?
Here’s what we know about COVID-19. According to the WHO’s piece titled COVID-19 Workplace Readiness, the virus spreads through infected drops of fluid, which are released when someone sneezes or coughs, much like the flu. People can also be exposed to the virus when coming into contact with objects that have been contaminated, as the WHO has stated that the coronavirus can survive on surfaces for hours to even days, depending on the conditions. Though many have recovered from the virus with only mild symptoms, it’s important all precautions are taken, especially because the elderly and those with weaker immune systems, due to previous health conditions, are most at risk. The countries that have been most affected by this to date are China, Italy, the United States, and Spain. North America has also been affected, with 55,243 cases in the United States and 2,792 cases in Canada.
According to Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering, here is where the world stands as of March 25, 2020. There have been 438,749 confirmed cases globally, 19,675 total deaths, and 111,895 total recovered.
With this in mind, we want to communicate and repeat that the current numbers are as of March 25, 2020. We encourage you and your team to check for updates from your respective province, state, and countrywide health organizations to ensure your safety.
What This Means for the Workplace
A myriad of organizations in all industries have been affected by this outbreak. Here’s how they have been coping with COVID-19.
According to the article “COVID-19: Business Travel Hampered by Coronavirus as Big Companies Ban Trips,” published by Global News, several global companies have halted all trips for business purposes. Amazon, for instance, has informed 800,000 workers to avoid traveling within the United States or internationally. Twitter and Google have also told their teams to work from home. Most, if not all, companies, have gone virtual, solely interacting in the digital space as employees sit in isolation.
What does this mean for the EHS industry? Is there a way to ensure business continuity during such dire times?
Maxim Group, a building restoration organization in Canada and an eCompliance customer since 2014, has exemplified what it means to be proactive during a pandemic. Emerging as a true safety champion, it has fortified its safety culture and amplified its approach by creating an environment of transparency and trust across its organization.
How did it accomplish this? The answer is twofold.
First, it created a COVID-19 business continuation form, which was passed out to all staff, to do its due diligence toward its employees. The form is both informative and proactive in that it includes important information regarding the coronavirus.
It also asks the right questions, such as, “Do you have flu-like symptoms?” “Have you or your family members traveled to any of the affected areas?” and “Is anyone in your family circle being questioned regarding COVID-19?” This has built a secure space for employees to share this information without feeling uncomfortable or afraid to divulge their symptoms. Maxim Group has conveyed that it is of the utmost importance to remain truthful during this time in order to protect not only team members but also friends and family.
This document also includes a section related to business continuity entailing certain measures that will be taken in the event that risk levels rise. For example, Maxim Group will train all employees on COVID-19 and the proper precautions that need to be taken, in addition to implementing crisis management protocols, flexible working arrangements, and daily no-touch temperature readings. It has also shared the proper protocol that must be followed if an employee begins to feel unwell. All staff were required to fill out this document and include their signature to certify that they have read and understood what was communicated.
In addition to this training and business continuity form, Maxim Group has also edited all daily inspection forms to incorporate COVID-19-related questions in order to remain proactive. By incorporating COVID-19 risks and controls, it can ensure it is doing all it can to create a safer and stronger safety culture and environment.
“Our workforce has really handled this situation positively,” says Mel Shaughnessy-Daub, Chief Administrative Officer at Maxim Group. “Early on, we held meetings and polled the employees regarding their feelings on health monitoring on our sites. They all agreed, and we used the eCompliance tool to complete online training, daily signoffs for critical questions, and no-touch temperature recording immediately. We have now been using the regular daily inspections to continue to record health readings and use the label option to communicate all fluid changes. This has given our workers, partners, and clients a sense of continuity in a troubled time.”
What Can You Do?
First, a plan of action needs to be put in place in order to ensure your team’s safety and well-being now more than ever. Unsure of how to get started? Here are some things you should consider.
Like Maxim Group, encourage transparency within your organization to make employees feel secure and protected. It is vital the channels of communication remain open so your team is constantly updated with any new information, policies, or protocols that arise. With much of the workforce currently working from home, continuously check in on your team members, and ensure they have the proper work-from-home arrangements. Also take the necessary steps to check in with your frontline force. Ensure they have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and that all the necessary precautions are taken in the field.
eCompliance also offers a variety of tools to help prepare for a pandemic. As previously mentioned, you can edit all daily inspection forms and hazard assessments to include COVID-19 risks and controls, showcased by Maxim Group. Our extensive catalogue of courses can also help you remain proactive. Courses such as “Coronavirus Preparedness for Employers and Employees,” “COVID-19: Protecting Yourself and Others,” and “Hazwoper PPE and Decontamination Procedures” all provide useful tips and guidelines to strengthen your safety culture.
For more information on how to prepare for a pandemic and how eCompliance can help, check out our COVID-19 resource platform, which includes best practices that both employees and employers can start implementing right now.