COVID-19 isn't going away any time soon. In fact, many experts predict an uptick in cases this winter. Although much is still unknown about combating COVID-19, it is clear that businesses should consider several basic courses of action in preparing, implementing, and managing an employee safety plan.
Part 2 of our series on employee safety during the coronavirus era outlines how to implement employee wellness plans.
CLICK HERE to read Part 1: Physical Distancing.
1. Consider implementing a pre-entry screening process.
In the absence of a Covid-19 vaccination or reliable and widespread antibody testing, organizations may consider whether they should implement screening measures, such as temperature checks, to help ensure that employees, customers, contractors, and visitors are healthy anytime they enter the workplace. The objective of such screening would be to detect and prevent any person with Covid-19 symptoms from entering the location, in order to reduce the spread of the disease.
Many organizations have never conducted pre-entry screenings or self-attestation. Some may not have the in-house capabilities to do so. Another concern is that these screenings may raise privacy concerns relating to protected health information, and introducing them could potentially create liabilities for the organization. For that reason, executives and risk management teams should confer with legal counsel and medical professionals in their assessment of whether to institute pre-entry screenings.
2. Develop a protocol for managing employee illness.
In addition to taking preventative measures, employers will need to prepare for the possibility that employees may become sick while at work. If that happens, the sick employee should immediately be separated from others and sent home. The business should also have well-defined procedures in place for reacting if a sick employee requires isolation and transportation. Additional procedures should be in place for cleaning any areas that a sick employee used, and for identifying and alerting potential close contacts, all while maintaining confidentiality.
The Boss Insurance Group is committed to helping our customers keep their employees safe. If you have any questions, contact your Boss Insurance Group insurance advisor.
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