Shutting the 'back' door on COVID-19Employers have a statutory duty to ensure the health and safety of employees whilst at work. No employee will also wish to put any fellow employee at risk of contracting the coronavirus while at work. Simple precautions and planning can make a big difference. This is a practical guide to employers in the hospitality industry on how to deal with the issues in an effective manner.
Destination ‘hand washing’: Washing hands or using soap / hand gel immediately on arrival at work: First and foremost, ask all staff arriving at work to wash their hands immediately upon arrival. You could put up a notice at the entrance to remind them. Consider installing washbasins (preferably with foot tap), with soap / hand gel at the point of entrance with security people if stationed there, to ensure proper hand washing is done by all. This will remove any virus particles picked up on the way to work and minimise spread by employee hands touching contact surfaces (door handles, push buttons, tables, kettle handles, kitchen equipment, etc).
Position a waste bin (with lid) near the exit to make it easy for employees to discard tissues, paper towels, etc.
Also advise employees to wash their hands as soon as they get home from work, particularly if they have travelled on public transport / stopped to shop on the way.
Educating everyone: Promote everyday prevention actions in the workplace: Post signs throughout the back-end areas (staff corridors, changing rooms, cafeteria, etc.) of the hotel, providing information about COVID-19, how person-to-person transmission can occur and describing ways to prevent the spread of germs, such as avoiding touching their faces and to practice ‘social distancing’ by standing at least six feet away from guests and other co-workers. Provide information in multiple languages where necessary.
If masks are worn, (two layer cotton mask is generally recommended.), then care needs to be taken not to contaminate oneself when putting them on, or when adjusting them. Remember- hands are the main route of transmission, so employees need to wash hands before putting the mask on or when taking it off and replacing it. In the meantime, ensure that the mask is not contaminated because it fits directly on the face - facilitating a quick route of transmission. EMPLOYEES MUST NOT SHARE MASKS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
Consult with local health authorities to determine appropriate actions if a guest or worker presents symptoms of COVID-19 infection, as well as how to report, respond, and implement control measures, including isolation and quarantine until help arrives. Develop an ‘action plan’ and let all employees be totally aware it and each one’s role. Please follow the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Maintain records: Be able to track movements in case of a situation: Apart from the legal requirements of maintaining records, review and implement a record keeping process to maintain records of staff movement. These records should be kept for a minimum of 90 days. This includes maintaining employee work assignments, documentation of key control procedures including the electronic lock records, and security camera closed circuit tapes. This is especially important if someone in your hotel has been confirmed to have the virus. Please follow the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Protection is everyone’s business: How staff can protect each other:
Recommended moments of hand washing (times):
Dealing with employees who fall sick: While in the past working while sick was heroic in certain workspaces, now people realise such actions challenge the sustainability of a business and human health. Actively encourage sick employees to stay at home. If an employee arrives at work displaying symptoms of respiratory illness or if employees have symptoms of an acute respiratory illness (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath), you can ask them not to return to work until they no longer have a fever for at least 24 hours. You should immediately separate the employee from the other employees and send him or her home. Please follow the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Additional consideration for hotels:
Compiled by In2ition.
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