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Do social distancing rules apply in the workplace?
This entry was posted on July 2, 2020.
Yes, they do and its very important to follow government guidelines and provide the right care for your staff.
Returning back to work and living and working the New Normal is a mixed feeling of relief and apprehension, therefore very important to make visible changes to reassure persons.
What do we need to re-open under COVID-19 guidelines?
First check your business is permitted to re-open. The government have issued a list of business that are not permitted yet, please check this out here, to confirm you are classed as unnecessary - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing#other-businesses-and-venues
You are able to open? Great News!!
What is the best attitude towards social distancing?
Boris Johnson’s latest moto is Stay Alert, Protect Lives and whilst this has been debated by opposing Politians (which off course they would do), it is great mindset to be in getting your business up and running again and back on track.
You are needed to support other industries out there, so do your bit. Check out this helpful article recently published by the UK Government:
The Latest Staying Alert and Safe (social distancing guidelines) issued by the Government https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing explains what is expected from the public with more detailed requirement set out on this government website.
What is required to meet with Social Distancing?
Staff and Customers must be protected from COVID-19 as business re-open and persons return to work and public areas. You will be under scrutiny from the Public, Government and even you own employees they feel nervous about what they should request of you.
This document states that businesses and self employed persons should have the following changes:
You should think about how you can organise your work area so that you can keep people 2 m apart, where possible:
| Government Recommendations: | What Everymat has done: |
| Physically arrange work areas to keep people 2 metre apart; | Consider where persons are going to work whether standing or sitting, and arrange desks and work stations with a 2 metre area for each workspace. This should be easier with the reduction of staff actually at the premises. |
| Mark areas using floor paint or tape to help people keep a 2 metre distance; | Black/Yellow Floor Marking Tape can be used on hard floors and some thin pile carpets. This is a temporary, easy to remove, inexpensive product, so would be the best option to try if in doubt.There is also a more heavy duty anti slip tape for a more permanent fix, but this is usually used in warehouses and busy production areas where the cheaper floor does stick down for long enough.
Social Distancing Mats are ideal at reception areas, to remind visitors to stand back from reception, until called forward, and reminds persons to stand at 2m distance when they see the first too persons doing so. |
| Provide signage to remind people to keep a 2 m distance; | Social Distancing Mats are ideal, but make sure the mat is 2m long and has a clear message, otherwise misleading.Floor Stickers are also a good option, but can come loose and don’t adhere to all surfaces. They are also not so noticeable as mats.
Wall signage is a good idea, especially ‘Wash Your Hands’ and ‘Queue Here’ ‘Catch It, Bin It, Wash your Hands, for those sneezes. |
| Avoid people working face-to-face, for example working side-by-side. | If staff are distanced correctly this should not be a problem, apart from some cases, such as reception areas, or where machinery is being used. Clear screens are preferred, but can be expensive. Where it is not necessary to see persons cardboard can be used, which is a very cost effective option and easy to customise. |
Which Social Distancing product do I need?
Help with products that may be required can be found on this site: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/assets/docs/working-safely-guide.pdf
The immediate steps to take are detailed on this guide:
- If we do not have hand washing facilities available hand sanitiser should be used. Hand Pumps are in short supply and become expensive, so we have created hand pump and 5L refills combination packs, to help our customers and reduce the cost of this supply.
- Public places and Businesses should also be physically arranging work areas to keep people 2 metre apart; Mark areas using floor paint or floor marking tape to help and remind people keep a 2 metre social distance. Anti slip is recommended for more Heavy Duty Permanent Use, whereas this Floor Marking Tape is for more temporary use in offices, receptions, schools and shops.
- It also states that signage should be provided to remind people to keep a 2 metre distance - Social distancing mats are an idea way to show this message, but please ensure the mat is actually 2 metres, or the message provided can be misleading.
- Avoid people working face-to-face, for example working side-by-side - This can be arranged with floor markings where persons are standing to work and arranging office desks in a suitable layout.
- Cleaning routines need to be reconsidered with more focus on sanitisation and reduction of germs - We have Uniwipe Clinical Midiwipes in stock which are a great way to deal with this and are also hand safe.
How can Buy Social Distancing Products at reasonable prices?
Our range of Social Distancing Mats, Black Yellow Floor Marking Tape, Social Distancing Tape printed with Keep a Safe Distance of 2m, Black Yellow Barrier Tape, along with a small range of Sanitiser and Sanitising Wipes, should be enough to cover the immediate and essential requirements.
Products are available from Stock for Quick Delivery throughout the UK.
We are also able to personalise your Floor Distancing mats with your own logo and design.
Any questions or further requirements - E-mail your details to sales@everymat.com, telephone 033 3567 3567, or click on our online chat for a friendly service.
