Against the backdrop of increase in number of COVID-19 cases, the government has instructed to enforce strict measures at workplace and industries to prevent the surge in cases.
Coimbatore: Guidelines for workplaces, industries and factories are issued. In a bid to deal with the spike in coronavirus cases during the third wave, the government has instructed to enforce strict measures at all places of public gatherings especially at workplace and industries to prevent the surge cases. Since the industries are permitted to function and not be permanently closed, the SOPs, must be followed, to prevent the spread of infections among industry workers.
In this connection, all DDHS are instructed to enforce the prescribed guidelines to all workplaces scrupulously in coordination with district administration.
1. Screening of staff while entering the work place:
a) Ask for COVID-19 related symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, difficulty in breathing, body pain, loss of smell and loss of taste.
b) Ask for any family member having symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last one week.
c) Measure body temperature. Check whether the temperature is 99° F or 37° C or more.
d) Staff having any COVID-19 symptoms or any of the household members tested positive for COVID-19 in the past one week or body temperature 99° F or 37° C or more, must be admitted to nearby health facility by following precautionary measures for testing and further management.
2. Mask wearing:
a) All the staff shall wear mask properly covering nose and mouth at all places in the workplace.
b) The administration shall do necessary arrangements for monitoring the mask compliance by appointing supervisors and managers and by CCTV monitoring.
c) Anyone found without mask shall be sent out of the workplace.
3. Maintaining physical distancing:
a) Work place should be arranged in such a way that two meter distance is maintained between staff.
b) It can be achieved by spacing out the work station points or using alternate work stations by not using one work station in the middle.
c) If the spacing is not possible, barricading with transparent sheets or screens can be attempted based on the local settings.
4. Hand washing and Hand sanitation:
a) Automated or foot operated hand sanitizers shall be placed in all the accessible places of the work place, including gate, entry to the floor, corridors, etc.
b) All the washrooms shall be provided with soap and water for hand washing.
c) Additional temporary hand washing facilities shall be places in required places.
d) Administration shall plan for supervision of hand hygiene practices.
5. Canteen and Dining Area
a) The workers may be divided into small groups and meal and tea timing should be split across the groups. This may be done based on the capacity of the dining hall. At any time, only 50% of dining hall should be occupied.
b) Sufficient distancing should be maintained in dining hall. Zig zag or alternate seating arrangements shall be adhered.
c) Mask should be worn till the food is served in the plate and worker is seated in the dining table.
6. Administration shall avoid all instances which lead to mass gathering and grouping of staff.
7. The administration shall make necessary measures and monitoring mechanism to avoid spitting in public places.
8. Transportation:
a) The drivers involved in transportation of the staff shall be screened daily for temperature or any other symptoms.
b) The seating arrangement on the vehicle transporting staff, should be made in such a way that no crowding is seen. The vehicle shall be aerated with all windows opened.
c) Periodic disinfection of the vehicle shall be done after all the trip.
9. Quartersand Dormitories:
a) To ensure COVID appropriate behaviour as mentioned above at quarters and dormitories of the workers.
b) If any of the inmate is symptomatic, he or she shall be isolated and necessary testing to be done.
c) All the high-risk contacts to be isolated and tested, if the worker is found positive.
10. Vaccination:
a) All staff and family members should be vaccinated with minimum two doses of COVID-19 vaccine considering as high priority group.
11. Health Team:
a) All the workplace, industry with more than staff 300 or area of over 10,000-sq.ft shall appoint a qualified Health Inspector at their own cost for monitoring and coordinate in implementing health activities in the premises.
b) A COVID-19 health team may be constituted at the industry workplace with admin, HR staff, supervisors, health inspector etc.
12. Awareness creation:
a) The administration shall take necessary steps to create awareness about COVID-19 appropriate behaviour among the staff and workers.
b) IEC material to be printed and displayed in the work place.
c) Public addressing system should be used to broadcast audio messages of COVID-19 at regular intervals.
d) Online Trainings and demonstrations shall be conducted for staff and workers for better compliance of the COVID-19 protocols.
The DDHS, CHO GCC, CHOs and MHOs are instructed to send action taken report to this office in this regard.