HEADING BACK TO THE OFFICE? HERE’S HOW TO KEEP YOUR WORK AREA COVID-FREE

It’s been roughly six months since many offices had to shut their doors and send employees home to work. Along with the start of the school year, some of those workers are finding themselves headed back to the office.

Beyond the eerie feeling of walking back into a place that looks stuck in a pre-pandemic time, there’s a mix of emotions that many people have. There is excitement about getting back to some semblance of “normal,” but also trepidation about how to work safely and keep COVID out of their workspace.

Employers have had a lot of adjustments to make this year. From putting new technology solutions in place for a remote workforce to deploying coronavirus safety measures to keep employees and customers safe. Many are also deploying hybrid workforces that work part-time at home and part-time at the office.

64% of employees say that they want to spend at least some time at the office instead of working entirely remotely.

If you’re headed back into the office, we’ve got helpful information below on how you can keep your workspace safe and COVID-free.

SAFETY STRATEGIES TO KEEP CORONAVIRUS AWAY FROM YOUR WORKSPACE

Keeping your workspace free of COVID-19 means understanding the need to sanitize surfaces as well as keep yourself protected from aerosols that may contain the virus.

Because the virus can travel by air, outdoor areas are safer than indoor, but it’s not generally possible to take your office outside. However, you can deploy protective measures to stay safe inside.

According to studies cited by the National Institutes of Health, COVID-19 can hang around an environment for a while.

Two facts that you should know:

• COVID-19 CAN BE DETECTED IN AEROSOLS FOR UP TO 3 HOURS
• COVID-19 CAN REMAIN ON PLASTIC AND STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES FOR UP TO 3 DAYS

This means that keeping your work area safe means deploying protective measures against both surface and aerosol contamination.

WEAR A MASK WHEN POSSIBLE

Wearing a mask is proven to help protect against aerosol transmission of the coronavirus. You should wear one whenever possible, and especially when doing things like walking through the office.

With COVID being able to hang around in aerosol form for up to 3 hours, you may walk through the same area as an infected person an hour later and still have a chance of infection.

You can find details on recommended types of masks here.

WASH HANDS OFTEN

Regular handwashing with soap and water can break down the coronavirus. You want to wash your hands after touching any surfaces and regularly throughout the day. We touch common surfaces like door handles and light switches all the time without even realizing it.

When you’re not able to wash with soap and water, you can use hand sanitizer.

SANITIZE YOUR WORK AREA SURFACES

Both electronic (keyboard, phone, etc.) and non-electronic (desk, chair back, etc.) surfaces should be disinfected at least every morning to ensure they’re COVID-free.

You can use bleach-based cleaners for non-electronic surfaces. Use this list of EPA recommended disinfectants to be sure you have one that can kill the virus.

For electronics, do not use bleach or water. Instead, use a solution of at least 70% isopropyl alcohol.

SHIELD YOUR DESK FROM AEROSOL CONTAMINATION

Desk shields made of plexiglass are helpful in reducing some aerosol transmission of the virus, as well as other germs.

These shields are placed around your working environment to help shield you from contamination. These can easily be made using PVC piping and plexiglass or you can find them just about everywhere online nowadays.

BRING IN FRESH AIR WHENEVER POSSIBLE

COVID-19 is less risky outdoors due to the air movement. When you are in an office or any other indoor location, the virus can sit in the air for a while.

When possible, open windows near your workspace, and go outside whenever you can.

STAY 6 TO 8 FEET FROM OTHERS

Physical distancing is another important protective layer that can help prevent aerosol spread of COVID-19.

If you don’t already have them in place by your employer, use markers to mark an area about 6 to 8 feet out from your workspace to help remind coworkers where the safe distancing lines are.

REQUEST TEMPERATURE & WELLNESS CHECKS

Many employees are doing this, but if yours isn’t, request that they do wellness checks daily for employees. This is done around the world to help combat spread of coronavirus and just entails checking temperature with a laser thermometer and asking general wellness questions.

Anyone not passing the wellness check should be sent home to work as a precaution.

IS YOUR TECHNOLOGY DISTANCED SAFELY?

Moving technology to distance employees should not be done without professional help. Otherwise you can end up with cords causing trip hazards and troublesome connections. Unbound Digital can help your Tennessee business safely distance your workstations and other technology.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Call 423-335-2461 or reach us online.