Depending on which tier your workplace is located in, you may be starting to think about how to prepare for re-opening your office and welcoming staff back into the workplace safely.
It can be difficult to know where to start, which is why we’ve put together some top tips (taken from www.gov.uk) to help you make your workplace more COVID secure and a safer environment to work in.
This information was accurate as of 02/01/21 and advice on workplace safety may have since changed. We suggest checking the official government website for updates and further advice for your specific type of workplace here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19.
Social distancing
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, aim to keep at least a 2-metre distance between workers where possible.
If this is not always possible, consider implementing stricter measures such as screens or barriers
between workers, and placing markings
on the floor to create a one-way system and act as a visual reminder to encourage staff to keep their distance from each other.
Work schedules
You can help to reduce the number of people that an employee has contact with by creating “fixed teams”. These teams can be made up of small groups of people who constantly work together, lowering the amount of contact that each staff member has with others.
You could also try to implement staggered times
for when staff arrive and leave work, to prevent many people from entering the workplace at the same time.
Workstations
Consider moving desks apart, or changing the layout
of the office to create more space between staff.
Avoid hot-desking, or minimise the number of people sharing a desk and equipment and provide hand sanitiser and cleaning supplies t to allow staff members to wipe down their workstation at the end of the day.
Encourage all meetings to be held virtually
where possible, or ensure that staff members are able to remain 2 metres apart if meetings are held face to face.
Provide staff with their own work equipment, such as pens and paper, where possible to prevent the sharing of stationary.
Another effective way to keep your workplace clean and sanitised is by using a
disinfectant fogging service. Our
disinfectant fogging service
is environmentally-friendly, leaves no residue, and can be applied across hard and soft surfaces to effectively kill harmful viruses and bacteria.
You can choose how often you would like to have the service, whether it is at the beginning of every working day or at the end of a working week. Find out more about how our flexible and friendly service can help your office reopen safely by
contacting us here.