As many states move to reopen businesses affected during COVID-19, it’s essential that building owners, managers and tenants follow safety guidelines to keep employees and customers safe.
The best way to do this is to review safety resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include general mitigation strategies as well as specific guidance for restaurants, bars and casinos.
For office buildings, for example, the CDC recommends that the following steps be taken before resuming business operations:
- Evaluate the building and its systems to determine if it’s ready for occupancy. Check for hazards such as mold growth.
- Ensure that ventilation systems are operating properly.
- Increase circulation of outdoor air by opening windows and doors and using fans.
- Ensure water systems are safe to use to minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ disease.
- Identify where workers might be exposed to COVID-19 and develop controls to reduce transmission.
- Encourage sick employees to stay home and conduct daily health checks.
- Stagger shifts if feasible.
- Require masks when social distancing isn’t possible.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces.
- Post instructions on hand hygiene, COVID-19 symptoms, wearing masks and cough and sneeze etiquette.
Establishing a system to cover each touch point can help ensure your work environment is safe for your clients, and employees.