Guidelines for Safely Returning to the Workplace

By Michael Matthews, Director of Safety, Duro-Last.

Minimize risk and exposure and maximize safety awareness with these tips.

As individual states and the federal government slowly start to ease shelter-in-place mandates and re-engage businesses, it’s more important than ever that we prepare our teams to return safely to the workplace.

Below is a list of Standard Work Practices that Duro-Last has currently put in place to safeguard our teams and facilities:

• Anyone who can work from home, must until further notice.

• Masks and personal face shields will be provided to all employees.

• Stay home if sick, if exposed to or displaying COVID-19 symptoms.

• Group meetings will be by telephone or external media.

• Social distancing (minimum 6 feet separation) is required at ALL times, as is the use of protective barriers, personal face shields and face masks.

• General office visits are prohibited.

• All workstations are disinfected at the beginning of the day and frequently throughout the day.

• On-site employees are encouraged to wash their hands often, and at a minimum when they start a shift, before breaks and at the end of the day.

• When handwashing is not feasible, hand sanitizer has been provided throughout the facilities.

• Tools must be regularly cleaned, and cleaned before use if others have handled them.

• Break times and access to break rooms are staggered to maintain social distancing.

• All on-site employees are screened with temperature measurements and standard health questions as they report to work.

• Visitors are restricted at all facilities unless prior approval was given by management and the Safety Team.

• Food is not allowed in production areas; drinks are allowed but must be covered and spill-proof.

The guidelines above represent the core of Duro-Last’s COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, which also includes more detailed procedures and recommendations for disinfecting work stations, glove use, and face coverings. Our goal is to ensure a workplace that minimizes risk and exposure to the COVID-19 virus, and maximizes awareness so all of our facilities continue to be one of the safest places to work for anyone and everyone.

If you have not already done so, we encourage you and your teams to implement and adopt the safety practices that are listed above as well as seek out and share any other best practices that you may have as we navigate these uncertain times. Don’t forget that our safety team is available to share resources as you develop your own protocols – we’re here for you. We’re in this together.

Learn more about Duro-Last products in their RoofersCoffeeShop® directory.