During the coronavirus pandemic, many people are still working from home or on reduced hours. Although working from home currently offers the best protection against infection in the workplace, there is still time to return fully to the workplace as it was before the pandemic.
A company's infection control standards must ensure that employees are adequately protected against the risk of infection for as long as the pandemic lasts. The German government has adopted uniform standards to minimize infection with the new coronavirus at work: The SARS CoV-2 occupational safety standard of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) has laid the foundation for a safe return to work during the pandemic.
Keep your distance
The distance rule (1.5 m) must be observed at the workplace, and companies must ensure that it is possible to maintain this distance. If necessary, employees can be divided into shift teams (home office/office) so that not all employees are in the office at the same time. In companies, for example, proper markings, barriers, or entry restrictions can help ensure that employees can maintain a safe distance. Similarly, the number of people in break rooms or other common areas should be limited so that sufficient distance can be maintained even in confined spaces.
Observe hygiene rules
Employers must provide washing facilities so that employees can wash their hands regularly. This also includes disinfectant dispensers. The cleaning interval for common rooms, work equipment, or other contact surfaces is generally shorter to improve infection control. The applicable hygiene rules, such as sneezing and coughing into bent arms or tissues, should also be observed.
Limit direct contact
Minimizing direct contact with others is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from infection. Contact between employees can be reduced by implementing a (home office) shift schedule: Shift changes, breaks, or office status checks can be used to restructure work as needed and avoid direct contact. Virtual, digital online meetings remain a good solution for preventing direct contact.
Cover your mouth and nose
Sometimes personal contact cannot be avoided. This is particularly true for companies that require a high level of teamwork or extensive interaction with customers and service providers. In such cases, it is particularly important to protect your mouth and nose, as this can significantly reduce the risk of droplet infection.
Ventilate rooms frequently
Research suggests that the coronavirus can be transmitted via aerosols, which can be released when talking, but especially when singing loudly or laughing. Aerosols remain in the air for a long time, which is why frequent ventilation in office spaces is a good way to minimize the risk of infection. Rooms in which several people are present at the same time for a longer period of time should therefore be ventilated regularly.
Never go to work when you are sick
The following applies not only during the coronavirus pandemic: If you are sick, you should stay at home. Anyone who shows symptoms of illness at work exposes their colleagues to the risk of infection. People with symptoms of coronavirus infection should not even enter the workplace or should leave immediately if symptoms occur. If you suspect that you have been infected with the new coronavirus, please call 116 117 and contact your family doctor via the medical call service or the health department.
