On 12^th May, 2020, Mr. Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, the Minister of Information said the workplace has become a new hotspot for COVID-19 infections. Therefore, in order for workers to stay safe, there has to be strict adherence to all safety measures and hygiene protocols in the workplace.

Exposure at the workplace can occur while commuting to work, during work related movement to an area with recorded infection/transmission (such as going on searches and arrest) and within the office premises when you come into contact with a contaminated surface or asymptomatic patient.

Below are general guidelines to protect yourself against COVID-19 at the workplace.

• Have workers wear nose or face mask. Even while wearing a face/nose mask, all workers should still stay 6 feet away from others.
• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Practice good respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. (Whether they look sick or not, avoid close contact).
• Regularly sanitize workstations, tables, personal computers, door handles, intercom (telephone), countertops and other high-traffic or high-touch areas at least every hour.
• Install a plastic shield between customers and staff.
• Have a cup of clean pens for the customer to take, and ask them to return the pen to a different cup of used pens. Disinfect the used pens before returning them to the clean cup.
• Avoid sharing phones, headsets or other objects that are used near the mouth or nose.
• Stagger breaks to limit the number of people in the break room or kitchen area.
• Move workspaces to 6 feet apart.
• Stay home if sick.
• There should be daily check in on people who walk-in the Office.

Reference

Ghana news Agency (2020, May 13). Workplace now hotspots for COVID-19 infection – Information Minister. Retrieved on (14/07/2020) from https://www.businessghana.com/site/news/general/212833/Workplace-now-hotspots-for-COVID-19-infection-Information-Minister

United States Department of Labor (n.d.). Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Control and Prevention. Retrieved on (14/07/2020) from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html

Vermont, Department of Health (n.d.). COVID-19 Health & Safety Tips for Essential Businesses. Retrieved on (14/07/2020) from https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/COVID19-Essential-Workers-Health-Safety-Tips.pdf

Source: Public Affairs Unit Desk