Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, Inc.

RETURN TO WORK: INTERIM GUIDE ON HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE (5/7/2020)
PRIOR TO GOING BACK TO WORK AT THE WORKPLACE ENTRANCE INSIDE THE WORKPLACE GOING HOME
(during working hours)
• Queueing at least 1 meter radius (front, side, back) • Disposable used PPE (masks) must be placed in a separate plastic and disposed in
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE /PANDEMIC RESPONSE TEAM • Floor markers/ chairs in place • Physical distancing 1-2 meter (front, side, back) designated infectious bins.
• Hand washing stations/ alcohol dispensers in strategic locations • Avoid touching surfaces that are potentially contaminated or • After use of washable masks must be kept in a closed plastic bag (refrain from
• Health and safety committee together with employers (top management) • No Mask No Entry Policy frequently touched by others putting in your pocket or inside your personal belongings)
human resources, line managers, pandemic response team, labor union • Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose • Refrain from kissing or hugging family members, take a bath first
and other key people to work together to address the pandemic concerns Accomplish Daily Symptom TEMPERATURE CHECK • Practice respiratory etiquette at all times • Discard in separate hamper used uniform or outfit away from family members or
• Recommendation and implementation of controls Questionnaire/ Health Declaration (non contact thermal scan) • Use tissue or inner portion of elbow to cover nose and mouth immediately soak in water with detergent
• Coordination of OH personnel and safety officer in ensuring control Form/ Health Checklist* when sneezing, coughing • Essentials brought home like ID tags, bags, keys etc. should be securely placed
measures are implemented. • Practice proper disposal of tissue in close bins outside the house
ENGINEERING CONTROLS • Use personal pens or • Alcohol dispensers located on strategic locations • Frequently clean cellphones and gadgets. Put in ziplock plastic for easy cleaning or
• Install barriers • Use sanitizers before change every after tour of duty
• Increasing ventilation or installing air filters, negative pressure ventilation, and after using provided Fever WAITING AREA/ COMMON AREAS • Follow physical distancing in vehicles or in any form of transportation
No Fever
linear airflow ventilation if possible pens =/> 37.5 C
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
<37.5C • 1 to 2 meters front, side and back
• Plan to adopt new normal corporate framework and develop site specific HEALTH CHECKLIST** • Floor markers, unidirectional walkways and aisles
protocols Sore Throat • Limit entry of visitors at a time WORKER EXPOSURE RISK TO COVID-19
• Identification of vulnerable workers based on Occupational Health Body pains ISOLATE and • Wear masks at all times
Services data Headache recheck
temperature WORK AREA LOW EXPOSURE RISK
• Site specific preventive materials in place and with adequate supply Fever • Individuals that are only in contact for a brief period of time.
• Sanitation, disinfection and disposal measures and protocols Close contact w/ confirmed after 5
YES ON minutes • 1 to 2 meters front, side and back • Jobs that do not require contact with people known to be, or suspected of being
• Isolation protocols and coordinator training COVID-19 • Wear masks and other appropriate PPE* at all times infected. Workers have minimal occupational contact with the public and other
• Physical distancing protocols Contact w/ anyone w/ ANY OF
THE • May place physical barriers ie. improvised plastic table shields coworkers.
• Health screening protocol with health screening daily above symptoms in the • Cover keyboards for ease of disinfection every after use at the • Practice physical distancing at all times
• Self quarantine and return to work protocol past 2 weeks? LISTED
end of the shift *Follow applicable engineering, administrative and PPE controls in your
• Labor relations alignment and education on the pandemic response plan Travel outside Philippines ITEM(S) • Refrain from sharing of pens and other office supplies workplaces
for their cooperation Travel to any area in NCR Fever No Fever
• Communication and employee trainings and education and other regions =/> 37.5 C <37.5 C • Disinfection measures: spray w/ hand held sprayer or wipe at
• Facility Signages confirmed to have least every after shift
MEDIUM EXPOSURE RISK
• Onsite or near site accommodation and transportation services COVID-19 cases • Individuals are in contact for a longer period of time and are fairly distant from
• Hotline, call center, telemedicine services BREAK TIME (cafeteria, pantry, canteen, etc)
each other
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT * Proceed to ISOLATION AREA • Jobs that require frequent/close contact with people who may be infected, but
• Optimal allowable seats, discourage conversing with people
• Health personnel in proper PPE • Place signages who are not known or suspected patients or close contacts of the same.
• Further assessment • May eat in your work area • Workers may have contact with the general public (e.g., restaurants, high-
NONE • Call DOH hotline (MHO/CHO/BHERT) • No sharing of meals population-density work environments, some high-volume retail settings)
VULNERABLE WORKFORCE including individuals returning from locations with widespread COVID-19
• High risk pregnancy, 60 y.o and above, any age with co- OF THE • Bring your own utensils, cups etc.
• Disinfection generally 3 or more times per shift to include transmission.
morbidities or pre-existing illness (uncontrolled hypertension, ABOVE *Follow applicable engineering, administrative and PPE controls in your
uncontrolled diabetes, recurrent asthma attacks, COPD, cancer, after all breaks and meals
SEND HOME • Replace used masks after eating following proper disposal workplaces
blood dyscrasias, chronic liver and kidney diseases or with • Medical Advice management
immunocompromised status) protocols
• Refer to MHO/CHO
• May use company vehicle if warranted HIGH EXPOSURE RISK
RESTROOM • Individuals are in prolonged close contact and may not be able to practice
with precaution of proper use of PPE.
• Employers are highly encouraged to allow work from home, physical distancing at all times. Large group of individuals in a given time
• Regular cleaning and disinfection (inmates)
alternative workplace accommodation, working hour shifts. • Limit entry to allow proper distancing • Jobs with a high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of
• Liquid soap and dispenser/ hand dryers COVID-19. Healthcare delivery, healthcare support, medical transport, and
MAY ENTER THE WORKPLACE
mortuary workers exposed to known or suspected COVID-19 patients or
ATTIRE • Disinfect by soaking shoes, foot wear on doormat with disinfectant ALL FLOORS AND WALLS bodies of people known to have, or suspected of having, COVID-19 at the time
• Hand disinfection of death.
• Encourage wearing of shorter sleeves for ease of hand washing (except in • MANDATORY USE OF FACE MASK. • Disinfect periodically especially frequently touched surfaces *Follow applicable engineering, administrative and PPE controls in your
jobs that need long sleeve protection ex: chemical handling, construction etc.) workplaces
• Avoid neckties, wearing of jewelries and accessories ELEVATOR, SWITCHES, DOOR KNOBS, HAND RAILS, etc.
• Encourage Females to wear pants instead of skirts
• Wear closed comfortable shoes with socks, safety shoes and boots • Clean hands immediately after handling any of the above VERY HIGH EXPOSURE RISK
• Do not repeat used clothing BIOMETRICS, AUTOMATED MACHINES, etc. • Sanitizers on strategic locations • Healthcare workers, morgue workers, performing aerosol-generating
• Face the elevator wall and following floor markings for distancing procedures on or collecting/handling specimens from potentially infectious
• Promote one-way use of staircases and paths to reduce direct patients or bodies of people known to have, or suspected of having, COVID-19
• Clean hands before and after using biometric scanners, at the time of death.
sources: photocopy machines, shredder, ATMs etc. human to human contact
*Follow applicable engineering, administrative and PPE controls in your
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3993.pdf workplaces
Sudden manifestation of COVID symptom(s) while at work (employee
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/return-to-work.html to proceed to isolation area) NOTE: clinic not an isolation area
** https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/dti-and-dole-interim-guidelines-on-workplace-prevention-and-control-of-covid-19/https://www.psmid.org/unified-covid-19-algorithms-3
https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health-update/ao2020-0015.pdf
https://www.lear.com/safeworkplaybookfiles
mmc 5/8/2020 *depending on the health and safety committee recommendation