Basic Employee Training on COVID19 Infectious Disease Preparedness
Basic Employee Training on COVID-19 Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan Presented by: Kevin Michalek, Division Fire Chief Twan Bridges, Risk Management Officer
Objectives In this training, we will discuss the following: l What COVID-19 is, the symptoms, how it’s spread and what to do if you feel sick. l Ways to protect yourself and other employees. l Different exposure risk levels based on the type of work. l Specific COVID 19 analysis for employee jobs City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Objectives (continued) l Employer responsibilities and return to work policy l The City of Petersburg enforcement policy l Additional assistance and resources. l Questions and answers City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
What is COVID-19 (Coronavirus)? l A virus related to other coronaviruses that cause the common cold, but can cause much more serious health effects. l It is highly contagious, easily spreading from person to person. l In just a few months, it has infected millions of people worldwide. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
What are the symptoms of infection? * l COVID-19 typically causes mild respiratory illness, but can cause severe disease, including pneumonia-like illness. l Symptoms may include any of the following: fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, loss of sense of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. l Symptoms typically begin 2 - 14 days after exposure. *Some infected people show no symptoms (asymptomatic). City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
How is COVID-19 spread? l It is spread from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets from someone who is infected. l It can spread to others from coughing, sneezing, singing, yelling, or from just talking. l It can also spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Infected people without symptoms can spread the virus. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
What do you do if you feel sick? l If you believe you have the coronavirus, stay home and call your healthcare provider. - If your healthcare provider advises you to be tested for the virus, get tested, and let your employer know the results as soon as possible. - Your employer is required to maintain confidentiality regarding this information. Note: If you have been infected, you may not have had symptoms for several days but may have passed the infection onto co-workers. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
What if I am exposed? l Self-Isolation - If you have tested positive for COVID 19 you must confine yourself eliminating exposure to others, including family members l Self-Quarantine - If you have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for COVID 19 you must limit your exposure to others in family and other social environments until you are COVID 19 Tested l Self-Monitor - If you have been in contact with someone in the self-isolation phase that may have been exposed to someone with COVID 19. Normal activities may continue with monitoring for symptoms and taking temperature twice per day City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
If you test positive for COVID-19 l Your healthcare provider will advise you on procedures to follow (i. e. , self-quarantine). l Immediately let your employer know as they will need to implement control measures (i. e. , cleaning and disinfecting the workplace, notifying co-workers that may have been exposed). l Your Human Resources department will also let you know of procedures required in order to return to work (i. e. , no longer infectious, doctor’s note). Please note that this information is also kept confidential. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Ways to protect yourself and others l Cover coughs and sneezes using a tissue or use your elbow (using elbow keeps hands from being contaminated). l Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. l Stay home if you are sick and avoid co-workers who appear to be sick. l Use a face mask/covering if social distancing can’t be maintained. Mask MUST cover mouth and nose. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Ways to protect yourself and others l Keep social distancing of 6 feet or more. l Practice frequent hand washing for 20 seconds with soap and water, and/or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water is not available. l Frequently sanitize work surfaces and tools. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
What type of mask should I wear? Homemade or purchased cloth face coverings for low risk jobs. Keeps droplets (saliva particles) from escaping into the air. (Prevents wearer from exhaling particles into air). Disposable surgical-style mask for medium-risk jobs. Keeps droplets from escaping into the air. (Prevents wearer from exhaling particles into air). NIOSH-approved N-95 respirator for high and extremely high-risk jobs. Protects the wearer from inhaling droplets already in the air. (Prevents wearer from inhaling particles). City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Face Coverings, Masks, and Respirators l All three help prevent risk for spreading the virus from one person to another. l Depending on your job, level of risk, and whether prevention measures like physical barriers are used, you may be required to wear a face covering, mask, or N-95 respirator. l Cloth Mask MUST be two or more layers thick. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Employee Rights l Receive information and training on job hazards in your workplace. l Raise a safety or health concern with your employer or VA Dept of Labor’s Compliance Division. l Report a work-related hazards, including COVID-19 to VA Dept of Labor’s OSH Division. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Employer Responsibilities Employers shall: l Provide proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity/task being done such as goggles, masks, gloves, and face shields. l Train you on specific protective measures and PPE required at the workplace. NCDOL Photo Library City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training NCDOL Photo Library
Employer Responsibilities Employers should: l Provide hand-washing facilities and sanitation supplies. (i. e. , disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizers, disinfecting sprays) l Set up physical distancing measures. (i. e. , post signs, floor markings) l Send sick employees home. (i. e. , take employee temperature, health screen) NCDOL Photo Library l Install barriers between workers where feasible or control customer/employee flow. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Return to Work Requirements Time Based Strategy l The employee must have resolution of a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. l At least 10 days have passed since onset of symptoms (for mild symptoms). l At least 20 days have passed since onset of symptoms (for severe illness with immunocompromise, or hospitalization). l Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e. g. , cough, shortness of breath), and City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Return to Work Requirements Test-Based Strategy l The employee must have resolution of a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications l Improvement in symptoms (e. g. , cough, shortness of breath), and l Results are negative from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens) tested using an FDA-authorized molecular viral assay to detect SARS-Co. V-2 RNA. (This is the Nasal Swab Test) City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Return to Work Requirements l Asymptomatic (positive without symptoms) l Negative results of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized COVID-19 molecular assay for detection of SARS-Co. V-2 RNA from at least two (2) consecutive respiratory specimens collected greater than or equal to twenty-four (24) hours apart (total of two negative specimens). (This is the Nasal Swab Test) City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
What is my jobs risk level? Very High Medium Lower City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training Healthcare Employees, Performing Aerosol-Generating Procedures, Healthcare/Lab Personnel, Morgue Employees, Known or Suspected COVID-19 Patients. Healthcare Delivery & Support, First Responders, Medical Transport, Mortuary Employees, Employees Exposed Within 6 Feet of Known or Suspected COVID-19. This includes first responders. Employees Exposed Within 6 Feet of Other Employees, Customers, or Other Persons Known, Unknown, or Suspected of COVID-19. Employees Not Exposed Within 6 Feet Frequently or Close Contact with Persons Known, Unknown, or Suspected of COVID 19. Have Minimal or No Contact with Public, Coworkers, or Other Persons.
Who is at risk at work? Very High Risk: l First Responders or Healthcare workers treating or caring for coronavirus infected patients. l First Responders or Healthcare workers performing airway and other invasive procedures. l Emergency medical technicians/ambulance employees transporting infected persons. l Employees at facilities where no sanitization protocols are in place. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Who is at risk at work? l High Risk: l First Responders performing duties or assisting with patient care in the performance of their duties. l Work areas where 10 or more employees are working, and 6 -foot separation is unable to be maintained. l Employees performing tasks requiring close proximity with other employees for more than 10 minutes per hour. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Who is at risk at work? Medium Risk: l Employees working within 6 feet of other employees several times per day without barriers or other protective measures. l Employees working with 3 - 6 other employees providing personal services to healthy clients wearing a face covering. l Jobs where tools are shared and sanitized between different users. l Examples: Public Works, Transit Drivers, Billing and Collections, etc. . City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Who is at risk at work? Low Risk (caution): l Jobs where you can mostly stay at least 6 feet away from coworkers; only needing to briefly pass by them a few times a day. l Crews outside on large jobsites where 6 -foot separation is easily maintained. l Jobs where tools are not shared between employees. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Enforcement Policy l All persons shall comply with all COVID-19 executive orders of the Governor. l Constitutional Officers and Department Heads are responsible for being knowledgeable about the Governor’s COVID-19 executive orders, both presently, and as they may be amended, and ensuring compliance with such orders by their respective departments. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Enforcement Policy (continued) l No person shall be discharged or in any way discriminated against an employee because the employee exercised their rights under the safety and health provisions of the Title 40. 1 Code of Virginia; voluntarily provides and wears their own personal protective equipment (PPE); and/or raises a reasonable concern about infection control. l Any concerns about non-compliance and discrimination will be reviewed by the Constitutional Officers/Department Heads and Human Resources for possible disciplinary action. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Additional Guidance l Center for Disease Control COVID-19 Information Hub l CDC Cleaning and Disinfecting Page l Virginia Department of Health – COVID-19 Dashboard l City of Petersburg – COVID-19 Resource Page l City of Petersburg – Human Resources City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Summary In this training, we discussed the following: l What COVID-19 is, the symptoms, how it’s spread and what to do if you feel sick. l Ways to protect yourself and other employees. l Different exposure risk levels based on the type of work. l Additional assistance and resources. City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Responsible Party Form Responsible Party The City of Petersburg has developed this policy based on the temporary 16 VAC 25 -220 Emergency Temporary Standard developed by the Virginia DOLI. This policy is designed to be in place through January 15, 2021; however, this policy may be continued by the City of Petersburg based on Federal, State, or local guidelines. The City of Petersburg Department/Person (i. e. Human Resources Office) is responsible to ensure the adoption, dissemination, and enforcement of this policy for the safety and health of the employees of the City of Petersburg. Employee Printed Name ___________ Employee Signature ____________ Date ______ Return Completed Form to the Human Resources Department City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training Please complete the Responsible Party Form and forward to the City of Petersburg’s Human Resources Department (you may print the last slide of this presentation for a copy of this form)
Thank You For Your Participation! Additional questions may be directed to: Kimberly Robinson – Human Resource Director Twan Bridges – Risk Management Officer Kevin Michalek - Division Fire Chief / Infection Control Coordinator City of Petersburg COVID 19 Employee Training
Return Completed Form to the Human Resources Department Date ______ Employee Signature ____________ Employee Printed Name ___________ The City of Petersburg Department/Person (i. e. Human Resources Office) is responsible to ensure the adoption, dissemination, and enforcement of this policy for the safety and health of the employees of the City of Petersburg. This policy is designed to be in place through January 15, 2021; however, this policy may be continued by the City of Petersburg based on Federal, State, or local guidelines. The City of Petersburg has developed this policy based on the temporary 16 VAC 25 -220 Emergency Temporary Standard developed by the Virginia DOLI. Responsible Party
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