Keeping Your Workplace Safe During the Pandemic: Tips for Employers

Keeping workplaces safe during the pandemic takes a cooperative effort between employers and employees. Both need accurate, current information on precautions to keep themselves and others from being exposed to COVID-19. Here are a few key actions and resources for employers and employees to stop the spread and save lives. By keeping the workplace safe, employers and employees are also protecting their family and friends and the larger community. To learn more about ways employees can help keep the workplace safe, check out our blog, “Protect Yourself from COVID-19: Tips for Employees“.

Employers:

Create a plan and policies to minimize risks for employees and others. Make sure the plan is specific to your business and takes into account local area transmission rates, state/local government guidance, and employee input. For agricultural employers, the CDC offers a checklist for creating a plan.
Make use of available resources to help employers implement safety measures, such as employer tax credits to cover the costs of paid leave for employees under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act; nearby testing locations; workplace safety posters and training resources from CDC, OSHA, and DOH; and free cloth face coverings available from DOH-Martin.
Designate a coordinator to implement the plan and encourage employees to reach out to the coordinator with questions and concerns related to COVID-19.
Keep employees informed of important safety precautions and resources, such as: paid leave available to them by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, new policies to keep the workplace safe, what to do if they are sick or potentially exposed to COVID-19, the reasons for contact tracing, and how to access testing and information about COVID-19.
Make it safe for employees to come to the workplace coordinator with concerns, let you know if they become sick, and take time off for reasons related to COVID-19.

Resources for employers and employees:

All Businesses/Workplaces:

Department of Health – Martin County COVID-19 Call Center available Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, 772-221-4000, option # 9.

Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center available 24/7 | +1 (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov

CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease

OSHA’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

Agricultural Businesses/Workplaces:

Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health & Safety COVID-19 Resource Page

CDC’s Agricultural Employer Checklist for Creating a COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plan

CDC’s Interim Guidance for Agricultural Workers and Employers

Martin County Department of Health and UF/IFAS Extension Martin County 1-page fact sheet, COVID-19 Guidance for Agricultural Workers and Employers