With the rapid spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) globally, employers and building facility managers need to implement necessary precautions to prepare and limit the spread of this virus to their workforce, building tenants, and visitors by staying up to date with the latest guidelines provided by the CDC and actively educate employees, tenants, and visitors on the preventative measures taken to minimize the spread of the virus.

The CDC has made the following resources available for Businesses and Employers to plan, prepare and respond to the Coronavirus in the workplace: 

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations

Steps to take in the workplace

Employers and building managers can implement the following steps:

  • Implement good hygiene practices with bold signage and communications
  • Implement cleaning protocols for all spaces throughout facilities and buildings 
  • Prepare for a possible work from home strategy
  • Encourage employees to stay home when sick to help contain the spread of COVID-19

Using EAM/CMMS to track remediation in the workplace

We have identified some areas where a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) like Proteus MMX can be used within your organization to address some of these requirements:

Install entry screening stations for temperature scans

Keep track of temperature stations, dispensers for sanitary wipes, cleaners, masks, all new asset types that will require inspection and maintenance.

Collect employee information for contact tracing – Data that can be attached to employee register

  • Collect and keep track of personal information
    • Training completed – Information updated in employee master
    • Certification completed – Information updated in employee master
    • Under Home Quarantine – Information updated in employee master
    • COVID-19 tested – Results/When Information updated in employee master
    • Hospitalization – If and When
  • Other Control points
    • Cameras – New Asset Types that will require inspection and maintenance
    • Additional conferencing equipment
    • In premise isolation areas
    • Doctor/nurse visitations
  • Additional Maintenance Tasks
    • Mandatory workplace wipe downs
    • Factory scrubbing
    • Increased frequency of cleaning in line with a reduced workforce working in offices (work from home initiatives)
  • Requisitions and Inventory to ensure supply for emergencies 
    • PPE Inventory levels
    • Sanitary wipes, cleaners, masks, etc.
  • Waste removal Procedures
    • Track and add additional steps needed to safely dispose to ensure hygiene standards are met.
  • Work Schedules 
    • Vary working hours, shifts work patterns
  • Non-compliance Reporting
    • Use SHE Tags to report issues regarding employee, workplace, process
  • Additional Inspections
    • Manage and track additional inspections for employees, workplaces, processes, etc.
  • Employee health well-being and safety 
    • But what about outside the workforce?

Many organizations are now taking steps in hope of decreasing changes for their workforce to be exposed to the virus. While properly washing your hands and avoiding crowds has been continuously promoted it’s important to also take steps to boost your immune system so that the body can effectively fight back if you were to come into contact with the virus. The strength of the immune system varies from person to person and, what’s more, from day to day because its ability to fight off infection fluctuates depending on many factors. 

But what is an immune system, and how can we improve its function if we are to work from home or self isolate? Here are our Top 5 considerations for you.

    1. Understand the immune system
      – Knowing what the immune system is and how it protects you from infections will help you see that one of the best lines of defense is avoidance. Limiting exposure to people, places, and objects that may contain the virus should be the first step. Ensure that you stay up to date with the latest advice from reputable sources 
    2. Manage stress
      Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories that you find upsetting. This includes social media. Call your local GP if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.
    3. Sleep quality
      Studies show that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus. What’s more, the production of antibodies and immune cells is reduced when you don’t get enough sleep. The optimal amount of sleep for most adults is between 7 and 8 hours. However, school-aged children and teenagers might need up to 10 hours of sleep. 
    4. Nutrition
      Boost your immunity by including these nutrients in your eating plan: Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Other nutrients including vitamin B6, folate, selenium, iron, as well as prebiotics and probiotics, also may influence the immune response.
    5. Physical Activity
      It’s clear that engaging in physical activities and sports benefits the immune system. The golden rule to avoid adversely affecting the immune system? Moderation. By limiting yourself to 60 minutes of activity a day, you’ll avoid increasing the stress that could harm your body’s defense system

If we can be of further assistance, please contact us at +1 (262) 241-3845 or email us at sales@eaglecmms.com

Eagle Technology is offering a free consultation in the use of Proteus MMX as a tool in tracking the steps and actions to mitigate exposure against the virus in your facility.