11/19/21 - Zoro Staff
Because not every industry can work remotely during the pandemic, many jobs require employees to work in-person. It’s important that companies do what they can to keep their employees safe from COVID-19 and help them feel comfortable working around others. Essential supplies for maintaining clean facilities include hygiene products such as hand sanitizer and disinfectants, and signs promoting social distancing and mask wearing.
The CDC recommends workers should not pass a health screening area and enter a worksite if they:
- have any COVID-19 symptoms
- have a temperature of 100.4°F
- are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test
- were diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 10 days
- have had close contact in the past 14 days with someone infected with COVID-19
Maintaining Good Hygiene
Keeping germs and bacteria in check is key to employees’ protection. These items are on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19. Hand sanitizers and disinfectants can easily be distributed around the office, warehouse, etc.—anywhere employees are—while soap should be regularly replenished in restroom and breakroom dispensers.
- Hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol quickly kill bacteria and germs on your body’s greatest point of contact—your hands.
- Disinfectants and sanitizers remove bacteria and germs from various surfaces—especially necessary for surfaces frequently touched by multiple people.
- Hand soap, when used for at least 20 seconds, thoroughly rids hands of disease-causing germs.
Physical Protection
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, provides a physical barrier between employees and germs. During the time of COVID, face masks are probably the most familiar form of PPE. Gloves, face shields, and visors also serve as formidable obstacles. All of these can be distributed to workers and placed in or near easily accessible areas, such as entrances, restrooms, and breakrooms.
- Face masks come in many varieties and levels of effectiveness at preventing airborne droplets from passing between people’s noses and mouths. Some face coverings provide basic everyday protection while others, such as N95 masks and respirators, offer more robust protection. They are best suited for healthcare and other settings where employees are more likely to encounter viruses or other microscopic particles.
- Face shields and visors may not offer the same level of protection as face masks as they do not tightly cover the nose and mouth, but they do help prevent airborne droplets from spreading very far.
- Disposable gloves provide added protection in environments such as healthcare facilities, delivery companies, food preparation, and others where employees regularly touch multiple surfaces.
Signage and Floor Markings
Clearly communicating guidance and expectations can help employees and customers follow CDC guidelines, local regulations, and company policies for appropriate social distance, traffic flow patterns, best hygiene practices, and more.
- Floor signs let people know where to stand safely in lines, indicate direction of travel around the office and facilities, and more.
- Hand washing signs instruct people how to practice proper hygiene when washing.
- Directional arrows can indicate direction of travel or point employees and customers to restrooms, where to find cleaning supplies and PPE, and more.
- Face mask signs explain face covering requirements or recommendations based on company or local regulations.
- Social distancing signs remind customers and employees to be spaced at least six feet apart or direct people to proper places to stand or sit.
- Sanitizing signs show proper sanitizing and disinfecting procedures and where to find supplies.
Medical Testing
If checking employee temperatures is part of your company’s COVID-19 protocol, medical thermometers are a must. Because the CDC says a temperature of at least 100.4°F is an indicator of COVID-19, it’s important for everyone’s safety that no one is running a fever.
Prevention is often the best form of medicine, so businesses and employers should stay up to date with and follow the latest state and local COVID-19 guidance and regulations. If employees are healthy and feel safe at work, it’s less likely they will miss days due to illness or other reasons. Follow this advice and be sure to use appropriate hygiene supplies, PPE, signage, and testing devices so you can reduce the risk of employees and customers getting sick.
For a handy guide to essential COVID-19 supplies, download our checklist.
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Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.