COVID-19: What Employers and Workers Need to Know

COVID-19 is a new threat, however, government agencies and workplaces have long anticipated emergence of the next pandemic virus, and have planned accordingly.

March 4, 2020

The emergence of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and its arrival in Washington State, has sparked alarming headlines in the media recently, such as:

  • “Outbreak strikes Seattle as testing is scrutinized”
  • “Coronavirus spreads to more countries as markets take historic tumble”
  • “Americans should prepare for significant disruptions to their lives from Coronavirus”

Our thoughts are with with loved ones of those who have passed away, or suffered severe illness due to COVID-19. As the number of infections increases in Washington State, and across the US, many are wondering how we can prepare for this novel coronavirus in our workplaces. COVID-19 is a new threat, however, government agencies and workplaces have long anticipated the emergence of the next pandemic flu virus, and have planned accordingly. Although we are still learning about this novel virus, we can use what we have learned from pandemic flu planning to prepare for its continued spread in the US.

 

Why are novel viruses so problematic?

Viruses typically infect specific hosts, such as birds or mammals, including humans.  Cold viruses, including coronavirus, and flu viruses mutate every year, and because they mutate, they can re-infect people who have fought off previous infections of cold and flu.  However, our immune systems recognize the parts of the virus that have not changed, and because of this, we are able to mount an immune response.  The viruses make us sick, but are usually not deadly.

Novel viruses, such as COVID-19, are viruses that have never been seen before in the species experiencing the infection. In the case of COVID-19, an animal virus has developed the ability to infect humans and easily spread between them.  Because COVID-19 is so dissimilar to human coronaviruses, our immune systems are not primed to fight it off, resulting in the novel virus making humans very sick.

 

How can we prevent the spread of COVID-19?

When a novel virus emerges, it is important to prevent spread of the virus as much as possible until treatments are identified and vaccines are developed. 

Things that all individuals can do to reduce the chances of catching any virus include:

  • Practice good hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers with more than 60% alcohol can be used to supplement, but do not replace handwashing. Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Keep work surfaces clean. Refer to CDC's website for most current cleaning protocols and use of disinfectants.
  • Don’t cover your mouth with your hands when you cough or sneeze.  Use tissues and throw them away after you’ve used them, or cough and sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Minimize time spent in crowds. 
  • Maintain good health.  Eat well, exercise, don’t smoke, and get a flu shot.

 

Workplaces can support infection reduction efforts by:

  • Advocating for employees to stay home when they are sick, and adopting policies that support this effort.  Avoid mixed messaging. Employees caring for sick family members should also be encouraged to stay home. See CDC's website for guidance on recommended sick policies during a pandemic event.
  • Increasing telecommuting options where feasible.
  • Plan teleconferences and web based meetings rather than holding meetings in crowded conference rooms
  • Keep employees 6 feet apart from each other. Social distancing and avoiding close contact can minimize spread of viruses.
  • Keep “high-touch” surfaces clean. Refer to CDC's website for most current cleaning protocols and use of disinfectants.
  • Provide handwashing facilities, and place hand sanitizer dispensers (with at least 60% alcohol) in conference rooms, break rooms and building entrances.
  • Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection for high risk workers such as health care providers and emergency responders.
  • Attend training designed to prepare workplaces for pandemic flu and other novel viruses

 

Business Planning: How can businesses maintain continuity of operations?

The threat of economic disruption in a pandemic is a real one. Businesses can, and should, prepare to maintain continuity of operations when a pandemic occurs, or any disaster for that matter.  Some initial steps in continuity planning include:

  • Identifying Essential Business Functions: A large percentage of the workforce may be unable to come to work and do their jobs.  Employers must identify what tasks must be completed when the workforce is substantially reduced, and which ones can be put off until later. They also need to identify who can perform these tasks if the people who normally do them aren’t there, and provide training to these employees.
  • Identification of suppliers and alternate suppliers: Needed supplies may be difficult to obtain if vendor’s employees can’t come to work.  Back up supply lines should be identified.
  • Stockpiling: What supplies can, and should, be stockpiled in the event of an emergency?
  • Information Technology (IT): Are additional systems needed to allow employees to work remotely to avoid exposure to novel viruses?  How can these be supported if IT staff are unable to come to work?

 

Resources for reducing the spread of COVID-19, and preparing for a pandemic event:

 

Training Resources:

Upcoming training from the Pacific Northwest OSHA Education Center can help businesses prepare for, and respond to a pandemic event:

Emergency Safety Officer Training

May 18-20, 2020 – Seattle, WA

More information: https://osha.washington.edu/osha/course/esowa0520

 

Additional Resources:

Information on COVID-19 is emerging.  Follow the pages listed below for new information and updated recommendations as it becomes available:

World Health Organization:  https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

US Government Updates:

Region 10 State Health Departments & County Websites:

 

Authored by Dana Stahl, CIH, Instructor, Pacific Northwest OSHA Education Center, University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences