Safety with COVID-19

5 safe workplace practices to help keep the COVID-19 away

Your hygiene and health safety are always important, but even more so at the moment with the Coronavirus COVID-19 circling the planet. We’ve put together our 5 top tips to help businesses make a few small changes, and keep our most vulnerable members of society safe and sound. Thank you to Dr Calin Pava (aka husband) for his advice…

1. Wash hands for 20-seconds

The rubbing action when you wash your hands is the most important factor here. Antibacterial foams are OK. Alcohol-based sanitisers are slightly better. The capsule of the virus is weakened by soap and water, and broken by the mechanical action of rubbing/scrubbing your hands.

 

2. Use Skype (etc) for business meetings, where possible

If you can avoid meeting with people in person, consider Skype, Google Hangouts or Zoom, as many of the online meeting alternatives. You can of course pick up the ‘ole telephone too.

 

 

3. Sit 1.5 metres apart for any face-to-face meetings

The virus spreads by droplets and 1.5 metres is the minimum relatively safe distance to prevent direct contact. Wearing a mask if you have symptoms, will reduce the particle load in your immediate vicinity. And we recommend no hand shaking when you greet people.

 

4. If you’ve been out in public, change your outer layer of clothing when you arrive home

Viral particles are persistent on surfaces. The persistence varies depending upon surface, environmental conditions, ambient temperature and UV exposure. The safest policy is to remove your clothing on entering your home, and put them straight into the washing machine.

 

5. Consider who is most at risk

Children are generally asymptomatic but they are carriers. Elderly and immunocompromised or people with other medical conditions are the most at risk. Consider who you visit or spend time with.

 


Please feel welcome to download and print our poster below, for your colleagues and family members. And if you think you may have the coronavirus, call the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline, 1800 671 738.

Coronavirus photo with thanks to The European Research Council Magazine. Feature photos with thanks to Unsplash.