Working Through It: 3 Safety Tips for Going Back to Work

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many people are looking for ways to get back to work and stay safe while doing so. Here are some of our guidelines for protecting yourself and your fellow employees while interacting at work.

Create a Plan for Returning to Work Safely

Depending on your industry, a safe work environment could look differently for different businesses. If you’re in an office setting and can work remotely, you may be able to continue working remotely for longer periods of time. Or, you may need to stagger when people come into the office so you can collaborate in person while still limiting the number of people in the office at once. To learn the best tactics for your industry, you can consult the current guidelines for workplaces from the CDC and OSHA. No matter what business you’re in, remember to sanitize all hard surfaces daily, including door handles, keyboards, and other frequently touched items so people are coming into a safe and clean environment.

Remember the Fundamentals of Good Hygiene

Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid being exposed to the virus and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash your hands thoroughly for at least twenty seconds with soap and water when able, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available. The CDC also recommends wearing a face mask when in public places. (You can follow our guidelines for what kind of face masks are best here.) Additionally, remember to cover any coughs or sneezes, stay social distant when possible, and sanitize all surfaces that may have come into contact with germs. These simple steps can help prevent the spread of disease in the workplace.

Share Your Plan With Your Employees

In addition to understanding these fundamental hygiene and cleaning tips, it’s important that your whole workplace is on the same page about what is needed to keep COVID-19 at bay. You also need to share the company’s official policy for sick leave, temperature checks, and working from home so everyone knows the options available to them. The more transparency there is, the likely it is that everyone will be on board with the policies.

St. Luke’s Health is here to bring your family healthcare resources for all your needs, from well visits to chronic disease management and emergency care. If you’d like more information on the pandemic, visit our COVID-19 Information Hub. You can now also schedule a virtual visit with one of our Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Group physicians.