7 musts to keep workplace clean and hygienic during Covid-19 pandemic

Workplace health and safety measures should be considered as non-negotiable elements that can never be neglected. Important health and safety measures were implemented during 2020 to deal with the spread of the coronavirus, and the key aspects of these measures should remain in place for as long as reasonable.

1. Display posters promoting hand-washing – Informational and educational posters can be downloaded from a number of websites, such as the South African Government and the CDC. Combine this with other communication measures such as offering guidance from occupational health and safety officers, briefings at internal meetings, and information on intranet sites to promote hand-washing
2. Ensure that face masks or paper tissues are available for everyone at your workplace, along with closed bins that allow for its hygienic disposal. Face masks and paper tissues are especially important for those who develop a runny nose or cough at work
3. Make sure your workplaces are clean and hygienic – Surfaces that are touched regularly (such as door handles, desks, tables, phones and keyboards) need to be wiped down and disinfected regularly with an approved QAC or sanitising product. Products that are used must be SANS 1828 and NCRS approved
4. Promote regular and thorough hand-washing by employees, contractors, and customers – Put sanitising hand rub dispensers in prominent places around the workplace. Make sure these dispensers are regularly refilled with approved products.
5. Prepare for the best, but plan for the worst – Ensure that you have accurate contact details for any employee or visitor on hand, so that everyone could be contacted in case of an infection that occurs to anyone that visited your workplace. Allocate a room or a space where anyone that possibly thinks they have fallen ill, can be kept isolated until they can safely be transported for medical treatment if this becomes necessary
6. Proper disposal of PPE equipment / Environmental awareness must be adhered to, to ensure PPE is disposed by authorised waste disposers according to Waste Classification and Management Regulations, 2013, published under Government Notice R634 in Gazette No. 36784 of 23 August 2013
7. Strict Screening procedures – needs to remain in place to ensure every single person entering a workplace is screened and authorised to enter the workplace. Any queries can be referred to the onsite nurse for clarification

*Submitted by Emma Dunk

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