Implementing safe procedures at work during Covid-19

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Posted July 20, 2020

With the development of COVID-19, we are all being asked to exercise social distancing and to enhance cleaning and hygiene protocols. Much of the advice is about “working from home” where possible. But that is by and large not possible in the hair and beauty industry. We have put together a list of possible control measures for you to implement in your salons to make sure your business is operating as safely as possible.

The list below deals with what organisations can do to meet social distancing and cleaning and hygiene requirements for work continuing in manufacturing and other workplaces that can’t work from home. The control measures in this document may not all be relevant to your organisation. They are ideas for consideration, not specific actions that will deal with all issues that you may be facing. You know your workplace better than anyone else.

 

1. Reinforce the importance of hand washing and social distancing

It is important that everyone recognises that they are a vital link in maintaining the health of our communities. Do not be reluctant to reinforce the importance of thorough hand washing as a WHS requirement. It seems basic, but not everyone understands the significant importance of this hygiene requirement during this time of crisis; it is protecting everyone, including the families of everyone who continues to work outside the home.

 

2. Consultation will give you the best answers

Consultation is a critical thing to do when making decisions about how to best manage hazards and risks in the workplace. We are hearing that some of the best COVID-19 risk controls are coming from the workers, and those who know exactly how work is actually done (not how you think it is being done). They can also help to identify what non-work activities might be creating risks. An example has been provided to us where there was a “virtual” walkthrough of everything the workers do from the time they arrive at work. This has enabled the employer to identify possible contamination risks they have not thought of.

 

3. Identify and control your specific risks

Identify what work activities create a risk of close contact or communal use of equipment. Implement obvious control measures quickly then review to check if there is a better way.

 

4. Increase cleaning and hygiene protocols

Make sure you have in place heightened cleaning and hygiene protocols. All staff should maximise hand washing in the way recommended by health authorities. Below are some specific extra considerations for the workplace:

• If you are providing handwipes and sanitisers they are most effective if they are alcohol based – generally in the range of 60% to 80% alcohol.
• If multiple workers are using equipment, provide appropriate cleaning materials for handles, and operational controls and ensure that they are used whenever the operator changes.
• Ensure cleaning staff use appropriate gloves and any other appropriate personal protective equipment when undertaking all cleaning work.
• Have extra cleaning in place for high traffic touchpoints during break times.
• Introduce a daily cleaning regime and/or consider between shift changeovers.
• Review other facilities that are provided. Is the equipment used to supply drinking water, such as bubblers, a transmission risk? Should communal equipment in the kitchen or the break room be removed?

For advice on managing YOUR Covid Safe plan in salon, HABA members can call the advice line on (02) 9221 9911 and speak to our team of legal specialists. Together, we can bounce back from Covid-19.