I am a dentist who consults with offices on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Infection Control Guidelines.  I’ve been thinking about life after the current “Social Distancing” orders.  What will it look like and how can all businesses remain open and keep themselves and their customers safe?  Hopefully, the State and Federal Government, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and OSHA will put out definitive guidelines for us all.  Until then, here’s my top 10 list of “to-dos” if you were to re-open today:

  1. Masks:  Make them available for your staff and customers
    1. Train your staff on how to use masks correctly – they won’t work if they’re not worn properly
    2. Train your staff on how to remove masks correctly – a lot of contamination occurs from improper mask or other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) removal
      1. This included gloves!  Gloves are to protect you from germs
      2. Do not wear gloves and then transfer germs everywhere – be aware when you are wearing PPE – think about what you are touching. You may have to disinfect surfaces afterward
    3. If you decide to use a respirator mask for yourself
      1. Get a medical evaluation first
      2. Get a fit test annually
      3. Perform a seal check each time you put one on
  2. Hand hygiene
    1. Train your staff on how and when to wash their hands
    2. Know when it’s OK to use hand sanitizer and when you should use soap and water
    3. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (sing your favorite song – probably in your head)
  3. Reception Area
    1. Clear all community items – magazines, toys, newspapers, etc. that people touch
    2. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces multiple times a day
      1. Use a disinfectant that has been proven to kill COVID-19 (the CDC has a list)
      2. Be sure to follow the instructions for such product; it won’t work unless it’s used correctly
    3. Remove all food, beverages, and open items
      1. If you want to provide refreshments for customers, offer single-serve bottles, cans, or snack bags that can be just grabbed with minimal touching of shared surfaces
      2. If you have a coffee station, consider placing wipes nearby and post instructions on how to operate with minimal touching
    4. Place respiratory protection messaging and supplies near the entrance
      1. A “cover your cough” sign  or “COVID-19 symptoms” poster
      2. Tissues
      3. No-touch trash can
      4. Hand sanitizer
      5. Masks
  4. Reception and Customer Service Desks
    1. Create a physical barrier to the client, if possible – for example, a plexiglass wall to protect employees working at the desk
    2. Mark off 6-foot divisions or install physical barriers behind which clients should  stand when speaking with staff
  5. Customer Interaction
    1. Limit face-to-face interaction as much as possible
    2. Ask clients to wait in their cars until you are ready to see them
    3. If clients have to drop something off, ask them to leave it in a locked drop box outside of your building
    4. Remind customers not to come in if they are sick or have just been sick
  6. Paper
    1. Limit paper that can be passed around (such as pamphlets, brochures, invoices, etc.)
    2. Try to display information digitally as much as possible
    3. If a client must bring in papers, devise a plan to disinfect them
    4. Money transfer – how are you handling it?  Make a plan
  7. Break Rooms
    1. Remove all open food
    2. Create a plan for community food – post written instructions about:
      1. Policies on sharing or not sharing food
      2. Wiping the coffee maker after each use
      3. Using paper towels to open containers and touching appliances rather than using bare hands
  8. Social Distancing
    1. Configure workspaces so employees are at least 6-feet apart, if possible
    2. Consider using physical reminders, such as tape on the floor to mark off 6-feet
  9. Bathrooms
    1. Clean bathrooms more frequently than before
    2. Use a disinfectant that is on the CDC’s approved list
  10. Tell your customers what you’re doing to keep them safe!
    1. Put up signs about the changes you’ve made
    2. Post the same on social media (but do not post pictures of you wearing a mask improperly)
    3. Send emails to customers before you open and describe to them what you’re doing to keep them safe
    4. Promote your business as being proactive about Infection Control

That’s it!  Not too overwhelming, right?  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at 781-471-0915 or lisa@doc4ne.com.