General Safety Health Provision



COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Action Plan This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person, especially between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others. The CDC will update their guidance as additional information becomes available. a workplace?COVID-19 prevention program?is the most effective way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at work.OSHA will update their guidance as additional information becomes available. Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace | Occupational Safety and Health Administration ()Guidance for Fully-Vaccinated IndividualsThe CDC has recently revised the recommendations for fully-vaccinated individuals. This program will ONLY cover those recommendations related to work and travel activities.Fully-VaccinatedIn general, people are considered fully-vaccinated:2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccineIf the employee doesn’t meet these requirements, they are not fully-vaccinated. They should keep taking all precautions until they are fully vaccinated.COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death.WorkplaceEmployees, whether fully-vaccinated or not, will need to continue to follow all guidance in place at the PANY Action PlanCOMPANY should implement and update, as necessary, a plan that:Is specific to the workplaceIdentifies all areas and job tasks with potential exposures to COVID-19, andIncludes control measures to eliminate or reduce such exposuresCOMPANY needs to consider how best to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and lower the impact to the workplace. This includes:Prevent and reduce transmission among employeesMaintain healthy business operationsMaintain a healthy work environmentPrevent and Reduce Transmission Among EmployeesMonitor federal, state and local public health communications about COVID-19 regulations, guidance and recommendations and ensure that employees have access to that information. Frequently check the CDC COVID-19 website.Symptoms of COVID-19There are a wide range of symptoms reported in people with COVID-19 – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Below is a list of possible symptoms. Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathingFatigueMuscle or body achesHeadacheNew loss of taste or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseNausea or vomitingDiarrheaCDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.Actively Encourage Sick Employees to Stay HomeEmployees who have symptoms should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who are sick with COVID-19 should isolate and follow CDC-recommended steps. Employees who are asymptomatic (have no symptoms) or pre-symptomatic (not yet showing symptoms) but have tested positive for COVID-19 should isolate and follow CDC-recommended steps. Employees should not return to work until the criteria to discontinue home isolation are met, in consultation with healthcare providers.Employees who are well but who have a sick household member with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and follow CDC-recommended precautions.Daily In-Person Health Checks (Screenings)Conduct screenings safely and respectfully, in a way that maintains social distancing of workers entering the screening area. Employees should not enter the worksite past the screening area if any of the following are present:Symptoms of COVID-19Fever of 100.4? F or higher or report feeling feverishUndergoing evaluation for COVID-19 infectionDiagnosis of COVID-19 infection in the prior 10 daysClose contact to someone with COVID-19 infection during the prior 14 daysTo prevent stigma and discrimination, make employee health screenings as private as possible.Ensure personnel performing in-person screening activities are appropriately protected against exposure to potentially infectious workers entering the facility.Conduct A Hazard AssessmentConduct a thorough hazard assessment to determine if workplace hazards are present, or are likely to be present, and determine what type of controls or PPE are needed for specific job duties.Ensure all employees wear masks in accordance with CDC and OSHA guidance as well as any state or local requirements. This applies if the hazard assessment has determined that they do not require a respirator or medical facemask for protection.CDC recommends wearing a mask, that covers the nose and mouth and fits snugly against the sides of the face, as a measure to contain the wearer’s respiratory droplets and help protect their co-workers and members of the general public.Masks should still be worn in addition to staying at least 6 feet apart. Wearing a mask is not a substitute for social distancing.Separate Sick EmployeesEmployees who appear to have symptoms upon arrival at work or who become sick during the day should immediately be separated from other employees, customers and visitors and sent home.Have a procedure in place for the safe transport of an employee who becomes sick while at work. The employee may need to be transported home or to a healthcare provider.Take Action if an Employee is Suspected or Confirmed to Have COVID-19Follow the CDC cleaning and disinfection recommendations:Clean dirty surfaces with soap and water before disinfecting themTo disinfect surfaces, use products that meet EPA criteria for use against SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and are appropriate for the surface.Always wear gloves and appropriate for the chemicals being used when cleaning and disinfectingEnsure there is adequate ventilation when using cleaning and disinfection products to prevent from inhaling toxic vaporsAdditional PPE may be necessary, depending on the setting and disinfectant product being used. Consult and follow manufacturer’s instructions for use.Educate Employees About Steps to Take to Protect Themselves at Work and HomeEncourage employees to follow any new policies or procedures related to illness, cleaning and disinfecting and work meetings and travelAdvise employees to:Stay home if they are sick, except to get medical care, and to learn what to do if they are sickInform their supervisor if they have a sick household member at home with COVID-19 and to learn what to do?if someone in their home is sickWear a mask when in the office or on the worksiteWash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or to use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Inform employees that if their hands are visibly dirty, they should use soap and water instead of hand sanitizerKey times for employees to clean their hands include:Before and after shiftsBefore and after work breaksAfter blowing their nose, coughing or sneezingAfter using the restroomBefore eating or preparing foodAfter putting on, touching or removing cloth face coveringsAvoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed handsCover their mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of their elbow. Throw used tissues into no-touch trach cans and immediately wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.Practice routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched objects and surfaces such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails and doorknobsAvoid using other employees’ phones, desks offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. Clean and disinfect them before and after usePractice social distancing by avoiding large gatherings and maintaining distance (at least 6 feet) from others when possibleOffice ProtocolsDisinfecting Cleaning with products containing soap or detergent reduces germs on surfaces by removing contaminants and decreases risk of infection from surfaces.When no people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are known to have been in a space, cleaning once a day in usually enough to sufficiently remove viruses that may be on surfaces and help maintain a healthy facility.You may want to either clean more frequently or choose to disinfect (in addition to cleaning) in shared spaces if the space is a high traffic area or if certain conditions apply that can increase the risk of infection from touching surfaces:High transmission of COVID-19Infrequent use of other prevention measures, such as mask wearing (among unvaccinated people) and hand hygieneThe space is occupied by people at increased risk for severe illness form COVID-19If there has been a sick person who tested positive for COVID-19 in your facility within the last 24 hours, you should clean AND disinfect the space.Routine CleaningIf less that 24 hours have passed since the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the space, clean and disinfect the space.Determine what needs to be cleaned. Prioritize cleaning high-touch surfaces at least once a day. Generally, the more people who touch a surface, the higher the risk.Consider the resources and equipment needed. Keep in mind the availability of cleaning products and the personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for the cleaners and disinfectants used using a HEPA filterEnsure safe and correct use and storage of cleaning and disinfectant productsIf more than 24 hours have passed since the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 has been is the space, cleaning is enough.If more than 3 days have passed since the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the space, no additional cleaning (beyond regular cleaning practices) is needed.Clean and Disinfect Your Facility When Someone is SickIf there has been a sick person or someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in your facility within the last 24 hours, you should clean and disinfect the spaces they occupied.Before cleaning and disinfecting:Close off areas used by the person who is sick and do not use those areas until after cleaning and disinfectingWait as long as possible (at least several hours) before you clean and disinfectWhile cleaning and disinfectingOpen doors and windows and use fans or HVAC settings to increase air circulation in the areaUse products from EPA List N according to instructionsWear a mask and gloves while cleaning and disinfectingFocus on the immediate areas occupied by the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19Vacuum the space if neededAdditional Office ProtocolsIncrease physical space between employees, where feasibleEnsure ventilation systems operate properly and provide acceptable indoor air quality for the current occupancy level.Place touchless hand sanitizer stations in multiple locations to encourage hand hygiene. Provide tissues and no-touch trash cans.Place posters regarding Wellness Tips to help stop the spread at the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen. This should include signs for non-English speakers, as needed.Provide disposable disinfecting wipes so that employees can wipe down commonly used surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, keyboards, phones, etc.).When to QuarantinePeople who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 – excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past 3 months or who are fully vaccinated – need to quarantine.People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not have to quarantine or get tested again a s long as they do not develop new symptoms.People who develop symptoms again within 3 months of their first bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated against the disease and show no symptoms.Close ContactYou were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or moreYou provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)You shared eating or drinking utensilsThey sneezed, coughed or somehow got respiratory droplets on youStay Home and Monitor Your HealthStay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19Watch for fever (100.4?F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19If possible, stay away for others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting sick from COVID-19Options to Reduce QuarantineAfter day 10 without testingAfter day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later)After stopping quarantine, you should:Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposureIf you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare providerWear a mask, stay al least 6 feet from others, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19Returning to WorkStay Home When NeededIf you have or think you have symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, stay home and find out what to do if you are sick and find out when you can be around others.If you are well, but you have a sick family member or recently had close contact with someone with COVID-19, notify your supervisor and follow CC recommended precautions.Monitor Your HealthBe alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.Take your temperature if symptoms develop.Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.Wear a MaskWear a mask in public settings, especially where staying 6 feet apart is not possible.Wearing a mask does not replace the need to practice social distancing.Wear masks to help keep from getting and spreading COVID-19.Social Distance in Shared SpacesMaintain at least 6 feet distance between you and others.Wash Your Hands OftenWash hands often with soap and water for a least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth if you haven’t washed your hands.Cover Your Coughs and SneezesRemember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside or your elbow.Throw used tissue into no-touch trash cans and immediately wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.Avoid Sharing Objects and EquipmentAvoid using other employees’ phones, desks, offices or other work tools and equipment, when possible. If you cannot avoid using someone else’s workstation, clean and disinfect before and after use.Clean and Disinfect Frequently Touched Surfaces and ObjectsCleaning high touch surfaces and shared objects once a day is usually enough to sufficiently remove virus that may be on surfaces unless someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 has been in your facility.TravelAdvise employees, if they must travel, to follow CDC;s latest recommendations for travel during COVID-19.Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they should notify their supervisor and promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed.If they are outside the United States, sick employees should follow company policy for obtaining medical care or contact a health care provider or overseas medical assistance company to help them find an appropriate healthcare provider in that country. A U.S. consular office can help locate healthcare services. However, U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability or resources to evacuate or give medicines, vaccines or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.TrainingProvide employees with training on:Policies to reduce the spread of COVID-19Use of PPEGeneral hygieneSafe Work PracticesSymptoms, what to do if sickCleaning and DisinfectionMasksSocial Distancing ................
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