Workplace Health & Safety Information

GUIDANCE ON PREPARING WORKPLACES FOR COVID-19

Employee Health & Safety

Show

Before employees resume on-site work, additional spacing and health measures should be implemented to ensure a safe return. For detailed guidelines, review the Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas list minimum requirements for re-opening and the Lt. Gov.’s Texans Back to Work Task Force report.

Worksite preparation and safety:

            • Provide workers access to PPE
            • Create system for screening employees
            • Develop/coordinate with landlord for building protocols
                • Visitor and tenant screening
                • Building access
                • Office disinfection, sanitation crews
            • Increase ventilation and make HVAC adjustments
            • Disinfect frequently touched equipment and surfaces
            • Train employees on new health and safety protocols
            • Develop protocol for employees required to travel
            • Follow general social distancing guidelines
                • Post signage for directional flow and spacing
                • Reduce entry points and create touchless options
                • Add physical barriers for separation, if necessary
                • Close or limit use of common areas
                • Reduce seating and limit gathering in conference rooms
                • Keep elevator capacity to a maximum of four riders, one in each corner
            • Client/customer interaction
                • Develop protocol for visitors in the workplace
                • Post educational signage for clients/customers
                • Make sanitizers available to clients/customers
                • Offer contactless options
                  • Hold virtual meetings
                  • Provide electronic invoicing and payment options
                  • Offer contactless delivery

Employee return:

Employers should consider flexible policies and practices as employees gain confidence in their safety and ability to protect their families from COVID-19. Factors that could impact employee return include:

Contingency plans:

It is also important to have plans in place to address issues that may arise or be potentially threatening to your employees and business operations. This includes, but is not limited to, an employee contracting COVID-19, what may cause your individual business to close, and what to do in the event of another mandated shutdown.

Communications

Show

Studies show that companies are more trusted than the media and public officials – which is both a responsibility and opportunity for every company. As businesses implement return-to-work protocols, clear and consistent communication with employees and stakeholders is essential.

Internal:

      • Provide an expected timeline
      • Prepare employees for a return to work
      • Clearly communicate and post new policies and practices
      • Monitor and track changes in governmental and company regulations

External:

      • Post changes in practices, hours, and availability
      • Communicate changes to customer/visitor policies
      • Share new products and service offerings

Resources:

Regulatory Guidance

Show

Businesses that reopen may be exposed to regulatory and liability risks. During public health crises, employers need a broad safe harbor. Among the issues businesses may face are:

Resources

Show

These recommendations do not supersede current and future government policies or executive orders.

Businesses are welcome to use these guidelines as general best practices. However, each business assumes responsibility and liability for its own workplace policies and procedures.