Employer Preparedness Plan Requirements Checklist

Employers must develop and implement a plan that addresses the following components and post it publicly.

If workers can work from home, they must be allowed to work from home.

MAKE SURE SICK WORKERS STAY HOME

1. Establish health screening protocols for workers at the start of each shift, such as temperature taking or a health screening survey.
2. Identify and isolate workers with COVID-19 symptoms and those who have been exposed, and send them home.
3. Establish communication protocols when workers have been potentially exposed.
4. Establish worker sickness reporting protocols.
5. Evaluate and adjust sick leave policies to reflect the need for isolation and incentivize workers who are sick to stay home.
6. Provide accommodations for vulnerable populations.
7. Clearly communicate sick leave policies to all workers.

INCREASE SOCIAL DISTANCING: Workers should be at least six feet away from each other

1. Maximize the use of telecommuting.
2. Stagger shifts and breaks; create additional shifts.
3. Evaluate traffic patterns to reduce crowding at entrances, in hallways, etc.
4. Limit gatherings of workers.
5. Ensure physical distancing in workplaces, including at workstations, production lines, etc.
6. Limit non-essential worker interaction across floors, buildings, campuses, worksites, etc.
7. Increase physical space between workers and customers, such as using a drive-thru or partitions.

WORKER HYGIENE & SOURCE CONTROL

1. Ensure workers regularly wash their hands. Ensure handwashing and/or hand-sanitizer facilities are readily available and stocked.
2. Provide recommended protective supplies, such as non-medical cloth masks, gloves, disinfectants, guards, shields, etc.
3. Post handwashing and “cover your cough”
4. Encourage the use of source control masks, such as non-medical cloth masks.
5. Prohibit on-site food preparation and sharing.

CLEANING & DISINFECTION PROTOCOLS

1. Routinely clean and disinfect all areas, such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment, machinery, tools, controls, etc.
2. At least daily, clean all high touch items like doorknobs, handles, light switches, surfaces, etc.
3. Ensure availability of hand sanitizer and approved cleaning products.
4. Decontaminate the workplace if a worker becomes ill with COVID-19.

All workers – management and employees – must be trained in these protocols.

 

CLICK HERE  to print a copy.

Executive Order 20-40, issued by Gov. Tim Walz on April 23, 2020, requires each business in operation during the peacetime emergency to establish a “COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.”

A business’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan shall establish and explain the necessary policies, practices and conditions to meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines for COVID-19 and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards related to worker exposure to COVID-19. The plan should have a strong commitment to management and be developed and implemented with the participation of workers. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, in consultation with MDH, has the authority to determine whether a plan is adequate.

Your COVID-19 Preparedness Plan must include and describe how your business will implement at a minimum the following:

1. infection prevention measures;
2. prompt identification and isolation of sick persons;
3. engineering and administrative controls for social distancing;
4. housekeeping, including cleaning, disinfecting and decontamination;
5. communications and training for managers and workers necessary to implement the plan; and
6. provision of management and supervision necessary to ensure effective ongoing implementation of the plan.

This document includes a sample COVID-19 Preparedness Plan that meets the criteria listed above. No business is required to use this model. If you choose to use this model, you must adapt it to fit the specific needs of your business. Please CLICK HERE to view the model.

As we carefully prepare for the planned opening of certain sectors of Minnesota business on May 4, 2020 we need you to conscientiously read and follow the guidelines for preparing your own business.

Please study the documents below for all the details.

*PLEASE NOTE:  These are the guidelines we know as of today (4/28/2020). Please stay tuned to Governor Walz’ website or his daily updates online. He is the ultimate decision-maker regarding this situation.

Let’s do this carefully and respectfully for the best possible outcome.

PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO REVIEW EACH PLAN:

COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Template and Instructions

Employer Preparedness Plan Requirements Checklist

 

OTHER INFORMATION:

Employers and Workers – Preparing for the Return to Work

 

Photo credit: AmericInn Roseau

Looking for a way to support local businesses while being home. Challenge your family & friends to play RINGO, the Roseau C&C version of BINGO (Roseau + bINGO = RINGO)!

Click here to print the Roseau C&C Ringo card at home.