As more positive news comes about COVID-19 vaccines and treatment options (over 100 million shots have already been administered), lots of people are starting to head back to work.

We’re not out of the woods yet, though. Safety needs to remain a top priority to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure everyone stays healthy.

Listed below are some effective strategies that can help keep you and your employees safe at work during the pandemic and beyond.

Creating a Sanitizing Plan

Start by creating and implementing a sanitizing plan. What steps will you and your team take daily, weekly, and monthly to keep the workplace clean? Can you schedule regular times throughout the day to wipe down surfaces, for example?

Make sure you have plenty of hand sanitizer, wipes, paper towels, and cleaning solutions handy, too. If the supplies are readily available, people will be more inclined to keep up with the sanitizing plan.

Provide High-Quality Masks

At this point, there’s no debating it: Masks save lives.

Even with more people getting vaccinated, it’s still anticipated that we will need to wear masks in public for the foreseeable future.

Make sure employees always have access to high-quality face masks. Keep them at the front desk so that people never have an excuse not to wear one.

Establish Outdoor Spaces

Wearing masks indoors is a must. At the same time, it’s also nice for people to be able to take off their masks and breathe in some fresh air.

If you want to give your employees a chance to enjoy the fresh air, establish outdoor spaces where they can do so safely.

Set up chairs or tables outside and separate them so they’re at least 6 feet apart. Include umbrellas for protection from the sun and set up trash cans to keep the area clean, too.

Encourage Overall Wellness

Regular exercise, healthy eating, proper sleep, and stress management are all essential to keeping the immune system functioning.

To keep employees safe and healthy, make sure you’re encouraging good general wellness practices. Some examples of this include providing access to healthy snacks and drinks, creating opportunities for movement during the workday, and not making employees jump through hoops to take a day off when they’re feeling unwell.

Keep Everyone in the Loop

Be open and honest with your team. The more transparent you are, the easier it will be to get everyone on board with your plan to keep them safe and healthy.

Explain your sanitizing plan and mask policy, for example, and be clear that you expect these rules to be followed at all times.

Make sure your team knows that they can come to you with questions or concerns, too. Open communication will make your policies easier to uphold and will make the workplace better for everyone.

Help Your Employees Stay Safe and Healthy

When it comes to staying healthy, preventing the spread of germs, and doing our part to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many actions employers can take to support their employees.

Implement the tips listed above to create a safe and healthy work environment today.

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