Businesses Are Updating Their Return-To-Work Protocols
The CDC has announced that masks and social distancing are no longer required for fully vaccinated people. Apart from traveling on public transportation – and deferring to federal, local, and state regulations – fully vaccinated people can go out without masks in any size groups, both indoors and outdoors. There is still a risk for those who are unvaccinated, and masks are still recommended. However, once a person passes the two-week mark after receiving a second dose, they can remove their mask. This is vital news for business leaders and HR managers as safety at the workplace has been a subject of importance since the pandemic started. Current safety protocols will need to change to follow the new guidelines, and now more than ever, this is a time to be proactive with your return-to-work protocols.
How Safe Site Check In Helps
One of the most effective ways to handle workplace safety has been digital screening. With over a million screenings since its July 2020 launch, Safe Site Check In is the best and easiest tool for construction job sites and workplaces to implement a digital screening and check-in solution for site management and safety. Instead of filling out paperwork, visitors and employees can easily be granted or denied access into businesses through a series of questions.
While the CDC has announced countrywide mask guidance changes for those that have been fully vaccinated, each state has its own set of return-to-work protocols. Here are a few of the areas and how they are changing their requirements.
California
California is one of the states that was heavily impacted by COVID-19 and is continuing to enforce previous guidelines. All across the state, risk levels in their counties range from moderate-level up to substantial-level categories. As a result, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is still recommending that employers maintain current safety restrictions.
Further changes may take place when new state guidelines take effect June 15th.
Related Article: Site Safety Begins with the Check-In Process
Ontario, Canada
The province of Ontario in Canada experienced 3 shutdowns since the pandemic began. The latest came last month when a spike in cases occurred. The whole province is currently under a stay-at-home order until June 2, except for essential work that cannot be done remotely.
During this period, businesses are preparing return-to-work protocols, and there is a growing need to maintain site safety.
In addition to the above restrictions, construction sites have even more restrictions, including which projects can continue. Critical infrastructure projects and residential construction may continue at this time. However, non-essential construction worksites are closed. These include the construction of shopping malls, hotels, and office towers.
Capacity and traveling between business locations are also impacted. For those companies with job sites encompassing multiple regions, the province has also recommended against travel except for essential reasons. Additionally, job site capacity during this time is also dependent on the risk level of your region.
New York
New York’s return-to-work protocols will follow the CDC’s newest public health recommendations regarding fully vaccinated people starting May 19th, as directed by the Governor. All businesses can adopt the ordinance to go mask-free, but private venues can choose to impose masks. Businesses can only operate if they have a written business safety plan to outline how their workplaces will prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Businesses must also follow the reopening guidelines for their respective industry in New York. There are protocols for return-to-work at office-based businesses, as well as return-to-work guidelines for construction employers and employees.
Consider Safe Site Check In
Safe Site Check In is a tool that can adapt to different state guidelines and across different industries. This digital health screening tool and check-in solution helps businesses proactively work on improving their workplace safety and visitor management system. See how Safe Site Check In is used daily to screen thousands of visitors, workers, and staff in construction, film, and commercial facilities.
Safe Site Check In is an easy, customizable visitor awareness and safety screening SaaS application and online visitor management tool. With just the simple scan of a QR code, your screening processes are now paperless. A new site can be ready to go within minutes. Our system is completely web-based and there are no mobile apps for workers or visitors to download, no software to install, and no training required.
Whether you manage a small office space, multiple construction sites, or a large commercial warehouse, you can easily screen and check-in subcontractors, vendors, and visitors. The Safe Site Check In webapp keeps management informed in real-time, with full job site visibility, accurate daily reporting, summary dashboards, and contact tracing in just minutes. Click here to start your risk-free trial today.
David Brian Ward is a CEO and Founder of Safe Site Check In LLC, a digital jobsite management platform launched in 2020 for the Construction industry. With over 40 years of experience in the technology industry, having launched and grown several successful companies. Mr. Ward is a now a SaaS entrepreneur and innovation leader in the Construction industry.