Because the COVID-19 virus is still circulating, employers, who are responsible for the health, safety and well-being of their employees, must implement preventive measures against COVID-19, to ensure a worry-free return to work.
In addition to respecting barrier gestures and social distancing, we need to think about reorganizing workspaces to comply with health requirements, in order to prevent a sick employee from contaminating his or her colleagues, or company employees from being contaminated in the course of their duties. (www.inrs.fr/risques/covid19-prevention-entreprise)
Employers are required to assess the risks of disease transmission in the context of company activities, i.e. workstations bringing employees into contact with outside parties, and to take appropriate measures. An example would be the need to install protective Plexiglas panels. (INRS reference ED 6393)
They are also required to transcribe new work organization methods into a single risk assessment document, to be updated following changes in circumstances or work organization.
Employees must be able to protect their own health and safety, and that of their colleagues. They must inform their employer of any suspected contact with the virus.
Preventing COVID-19 and working in confined spaces
- Advise workers with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 not to report for work.
- Put in place measures to deal with workers who start to experience symptoms in the workplace: have them wear a procedure mask, if available, and isolate them in a room set aside for this purpose.
- Provide workers with the necessary materials for hand hygiene (running water, soap, hydro-alcoholic solutions, non-contact waste garbage cans, disposable towels or paper, etc.).
- Reorganize the workspace to respect the minimum distance of 1 to 2 m, and minimize the proximity and crossing of employees.
- Promote the use of contactless equipment (printers, etc.)
- Limit the number of occupants in the enclosed space to reduce the risk of transmission.
- Make it compulsory for the general public to wear a mask if the recommended physical distance cannot be maintained.
- Put up posters highlighting the importance of respecting barrier procedures, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting the workplace and shared equipment (desks, printers, touch-screen tablets, etc.).
- Respect barrier gestures and avoid direct contact (handshakes, hugs).
- Avoid sharing tools, equipment and other personal items.
COVID-19 prevention and working in covered spaces
Respecting minimum distances of 1 to 2 metres on each side, and applying barrier gestures, minimizes the risk of respiratory and airborne contamination by droplets. To work in a covered area with complete peace of mind, you need to :
- reorganize the flow of people to avoid crossing paths;
- maintain social distancing measures: respect the recommended distance of 1 to 2 m ;
- Reinforce barrier measures: wear masks for the general public when necessary;
- restrict access to the covered area to outside contractors ;
- avoid clustering employees.
