News 2020
How to Make DIY DISINFECTANT WIPES
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Mix together 2 cups warm water, 1 tablespoon liquid soap, 1 cup rubbing alcohol together.
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Place paper towels in a container that just fits them. I use a large glass cylinder container that was made to store food, but you could tear off the paper towels and place them in a large rectangular container...
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Pour liquid over paper towels.
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Now the cardboard tube is easy to pull out.
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And you can easily pull paper towels out one at a time!
Heading back to a Safer Office
If you’ve spent time working from home as a preventative measure, it’s the best time to institute optimal hygiene practices and solutions that can reduce the spread of viruses and colds (which is always welcomed, whether COVID-19 is a concern or not).
Some ideas include:
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Increase the availability of disinfecting wipes and virus-killing hand sanitizers (see making your own cleaning materials tips.) and be sure everyone knows how to use them effectively. As an added touch, quality unscented lotion around the office will keep everyone from drying out while keeping their hands clean. Encourage everyone in the office to commit to regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces.
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Continue to improve professional cleaning and disinfecting procedures within the office to reduce the occurrence of germs and bacteria in the workplace.
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Where possible, rely on touch-reducing amenities, such as double-swinging push doors, motion sensor lights, and other hands-free amenities that reduce germs in high-traffic areas.
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If flexible seating is an option in your office and people share desks, require everyone to clean equipment, workstations, and surfaces as soon as they leave or move to a different spot.
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They say sunshine is the best disinfectant; in this case, the bright light of good communication is one of your first and best defenses against the physical and emotional aspects of navigating coronavirus. Be prepared to reassure and support employees or co-workers who may be going through a range of emotions and personal challenges as a result of the virus and containment efforts.
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Provide clear, concise and well-worded updates that are relevant to your location, industry, and current work culture.
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Communicate in a timely, calm manner. Offer channels for support and two-way communication. Create a space for your staff to reach out with their concerns and needs; where possible, make accommodations for specific needs that arise.
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Provide signage around the office that will keep everyone mindful of safety: good respiratory hygiene, cleaning recommendations, social distancing, and symptom checks. The CDC has developed a series of printable materials and posters for use in community settings.
Getting Ready to open your smaller Retail Operation? Here are some things to consider to keep all employees and customers safe.
Most of this information is not new. We have been informed of these measures many times over, but repeating them again is not always a bad idea.
If feasible, cash register lanes, use physical barriers to separate retail workers from members of the general public.
Use rope-and-stanchion systems to keep customers from queueing or congregating near work areas. For example, provide a waiting area for customers that is separated by at least 6 feet from a cash register workstation. Signage that instructs individuals waiting in line to remain 6 feet back from work areas .
Establish protocols and provide supplies to disinfect frequently-touched surfaces in workspaces and public-facing areas, such as points of sale. For example, wipe down credit card terminals and pens/styluses between each customer. Providing wipes for customers and asking them to do this themselves after each use may also reduce the chance of worker exposure resulting from this frequently repeated activity. Wipe down worker-facing touch screens, keyboards, or other equipment at least as often as workers change workstations. Frequently clean push bars and handles on any doors that do not open automatically.
Consider restricting the number of customers allowed inside the facility at any point in time.
When developing staff schedules, consider options for additional short breaks to increase the frequency with which staff can wash hands with soap and water. Alternatively, consider providing alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol so that workers can frequently sanitize their hands.
Workers should avoid touching their faces, including their eyes, noses, and mouths, particularly until after they have thoroughly washed their hands upon completing work and/or removing PPE.
Throughout the work shift, frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or, if soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.