WASHINGTON, D.C. – We’re looking at how America will rebound from the coronavirus pandemic. One big concern is bringing employees back safely.
The National Safety Council (NSC) is working with the government and companies to create a guide so businesses know how to protect workers.
“The resources, the playbooks, the instructions, the policies that companies can put in place to support whatever their operation might be, so that's everywhere from transportation, farming to retail to restaurants to manufacturing,” said Lorraine Martin, President and CEO of the NSC. “Every environment is a little different and the safety protocols you are going to want to put in place are going to be tailored to those environments.”
NASA, McDonalds, and Walgreens have already put together safety plans. The NSC is looking at those to help companies with less resources. Those plans include some of the following:
· Maintaining physical distance in offices
· Assessing shift work
· Allowing remote work
· Changing tasks
· And more cleaning
Testing will also be a huge factor. The NSC and 50 organizations sent a letter to the White House calling for workplace access to testing.
“Because it’s so important,” said Martin. “How we come back to work safely will in large part define how we get to the other side of this pandemic. So, the workplace safety and understanding how we will have testing protocols to support that is paramount to our country getting to the other side.”
The safety council also wants to look at mental health needs and substance abuse.
Click here to learn more about the NSC’s workplace guidance.
