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As many businesses around the world begin to reopen their doors, there are a number of things they need to take into consideration in order to be successful while also keeping their employees and customers safe.
- Formulate a return to work plan.
The first step for a safe and successful reopening is developing a plan. You should decide which employees are able to safely return and evaluate what changes need to be made to your facility in order to be in compliance with government regulations and social distancing measures.
- Establish policies and procedures.
With social distancing measures still in effect, it’s important to establish policies and procedures for visitors and common areas that reduce interaction with employees and visitors. It’s also important to update and adapt your emergency preparedness plan to ensure social distancing measures can be maintained. You should continue to update and adapt your procedures and policies as government regulations change.
- Clean and disinfect all parts of your facility.
Sanitation is absolutely essential in order to safely reopen. You should thoroughly clean and disinfect all areas of your facility before reopening and encourage employees to keep their workspaces clean.
- Provide PPE to your employees.
You should provide your employees with the necessary personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of being exposed to COVID-19. Encourage your employees to wear face masks when they leave their work areas and during face-to-face interactions. Gerber has partnered with several customers to make face covers and shields available on the eSTORE.
- Ensure your employees have what they need to be successful.
Many employees have been out of work for months meaning they may need to brush up on their skills. A majority of companies have also had to reduce their workforce due to lost revenue, requiring employees to take on new tasks. It’s your responsibility to provide your employees with the tools and training they need to successfully complete their tasks in this new environment. Gerber is here to help by providing extensive training opportunities through virtual events and GerberU.
- Promote hygiene.
Encourage your employees to wash their hands and clean their work areas frequently. You should also install hand washing or sanitizing stations at the entrance of your facility and post signage to remind employees and visitors of safe hygiene practices.
- Monitor employee health.
Remind your employees that they should not come into work if they feel sick. Make sure you’re checking in with your team daily and set up a procedure for people who have COVID-19, have been tested for COVID-19, or who have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- Consistently communicate with your employees, customers and partners.
It’s important to keep your employees and customers in the loop of changes regarding COVID-19. Provide as much information as possible regarding changes to company policy, new government regulations, and potential effects on employment.
- Be prepared to change the way you work.
Due to social distancing measures and decreased capacity, you may need to leverage new technologies and ways of working in order to be successful. For example, here at Gerber, we have developed a new policy, Remote Fix First, where we will attempt to remotely resolve your issues prior to visiting your facility. We’re able to fix up to 70% of the issues we see remotely, but even when we are unable to fully resolve an issue, we are often able to get you running temporarily or identify the parts needed to reduce downtime.
- Look at ways to improve your workflow for the new digital era.
The pandemic has caused major changes for both consumers and manufacturers. In order to continue to thrive in the new digital era, you’ll need to digitize your supply chain. Our Consulting Services team can help you implement new technology and optimize your entire supply chain from design to final product to ensure that you’re able to continue to be successful.
Helpful Resources
Helpful Resources
CDC return to work for businesses: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
CDC return to work for healthcare personnel: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/return-to-work.html
OSHA pdf - Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
OSHA COVID-19 Website Resources Link: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
WHO COVID-19 Guidance Website Link: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/guidance-for-schools-workplaces-institutions
COVID-19 Management Guidance with Self assesment checklist https://betterwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Management-Guidance_BWB_v2-2.pdf
These resource lists are intended for use by manufacturers of FDA approved personal protective equipment (“PPE”). However, Gerber MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES REGARDING THE USE OF THIS RESOURCE LIST, INCLUDING WHETHER PRODUCTS MADE USING THE RESOURCES LISTED WILL PREVENT THE CONTRACTION OR SPREAD OF COVID-19 OR ANY OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASE, AND, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, GERBER HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING, THOUGH NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. In no event shall Gerber be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages, whatsoever, including damages for personal injury, disease or death arising out of or connected with the use or misuse of this resource list. Manufacturer waives any claims against Gerber regarding the use of this resource list to make PPE and agrees to defend, indemnify and hold Gerber harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses, including, reasonable attorney’s fees arising out of claims that the use or misuse of manufacturer’s PPE using this resource list caused personal injury, disease, or death.
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