5 ways workplaces can operate safely

After two years of uncertainty, pathways out of the Covid-19 pandemic are becoming clearer. 

As Australians continue to return to their offices, it is crucial employers are aware of their responsibilities. 

Under Australian Law, it is an employer’s duty to provide a safe workplace. 

A key element of this is to appropriately mitigate health risks. 

The Australian Public Service Commissioner Peter Woolcott and Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens have shared in a recent letter the opinion that "returning to our usual workplaces is a positive milestone and a shift towards some normality for all of us. It's an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and return to our team environments." [i] 

This reconnect can only occur should workplaces sustain hygienic practices that control and kill viruses. 

They note that abiding by public health orders in the office is necessary to protect not only ourselves but "our colleagues, our customers and the Australian community." 

To stop the spread of COVID-19, there are five critical considerations for offices to reopen safely: 

1. Company Policy and Leadership 

Leadership starts at the top, and so do good infection prevention practices. When employees see their CEO or leader take time out of their busy schedule to wipe down their desk or to use the hand sanitiser station, they will be more likely to follow. 

Where leadership alone is not enough to encourage staff, clear, informative, and enforced company policies can help ensure your office remains a safe place for all team members. 

2. Socially distanced staff 

To mitigate risk of spread, employers must introduce social distance measures. 

The Federal Health Department recommends distanced desks, avoiding non-essential meetings, rescheduling large meetings or hosting them online, holding meetings in the open-air should online platforms be unavailable, eating lunch outside or at one’s desk, and avoiding travel when non-essential.[ii] 

3. Air ventilation and air filters 

Before returning to the office, businesses should conduct a ventilation audit. 

Depending on the evaluation results, workplaces will need to keep windows open, ensure air conditioners are maintained and potentially introduce air purifiers. 

Steps businesses can already undertake to include utilising outdoor spaces where possible, pointing fans away from people's faces, avoiding staff working directly near exhausts, and avoiding the use of recirculated air where possible. 

4. Personal hygiene 

Hygiene in the workplace depends significantly on individual behaviour of staff, however businesses should do their best to create a more hygienic culture at work. 

Businesses can facilitate hygiene by providing handwipes, masks, and hand sanitisers for employees. 

Employers should also strongly encourage staff to stay home when they are sick for both the employee's health and the health of other staff members. 

5. Surface disinfection 

Few workplace risks are as pronounced as surface infection. 

Multi-resistant organisms or ‘superbugs’, and viruses can be deposited onto surfaces and remain viable for extended periods of time, only to infect people who touch the surface, potentially days later. 

Fortunately, surface disinfection procedures are one of the easiest protections an employer can undertake. 

There exists easy to use infection prevention sprays, wipes, and other products that are highly effective at cleaning and disinfecting a surface, leaving it safe for the next employee to touch that area. 

It is critical to remember surface disinfection is not just the hard surfaces we touch such as a desk but also other frequently contacted surfaces such as phones, door knobs, and staff equipment. 

Office infection prevention is vital to maintaining a safe and sanitary environment for employees and employers alike. 

The need for office intervention will be critical long after the COVID-19 pandemic has met its end. 

Your staff are entitled to a hygienic workplace, and in turn, employers can expect healthier, more productive staff. Note: This is not legal advice – for the latest information please contact the relevant authority (authorities) in your jurisdiction(s). 

References

i https://www.pmc.gov.au/resource-centre/government/open-letter-australian-public-service-october-2021 

ii https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus-covid-19/physical-distancing-for-coronavirus-covid-19#at-work