Sources: EHS today
2020 has been a year. That’s probably the understatement of the year, closely followed by, “I’ve never been more excited about getting a shot.”
In December 2019, the world was just discovering the novel coronavirus, and most of us were continuing with business as usual. A few months later, most plans were thrown out the window and the country largely ground to a halt because of COVID-19, the virus caused by SARSCoV-2.
Here are the top issues impacting safety professionals in 2020!
1. Respirators
Many workers are already required to wear respirators, safety glasses and gloves. Those and other personal protective equipment (PPE) quickly became scarce. In April, media outlets such as Business Insider reported nurses and doctors were wearing garbage bags and reusing N95 respirators, if they were lucky enough to have one at all.
In the spring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the general public wear facemasks to protect themselves from getting and spreading COVID-19 to others when in close contact with people outside the household. The CDC recommended cloth face coverings to ensure those in healthcare and other industries had a fighting chance at securing N95 respirators.
That prompted OSHA to issue temporary guidance permitting extended use or reuse of respirators in certain circumstances and to develop contingencies in case of respirator shortages. Suppliers still haven’t been able to keep up with the increased demand. “Employers should carefully review the OSHA guidance and adjust their respiratory protection practices accordingly,”
2. Social Distancing
We now know COVID-19 most commonly spreads through close contact with an infected person. In October, the CDC amended the definition of close contact as “someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.”
Social distancing, along with wearing face masks and increased sanitization, are currently our best defenses against COVID-19. Implementing distance of at least 6 feet between workers can be a challenge, however, as workspaces have largely been designed for space optimization rather than maintaining safe distance. EHS professionals and company executives have worked to find a variety of ways to help employees keep their distance from others to reduce the possibly of catching or spreading COVID-19.
Companies have staggered shift starts and breaks to help reduce large gatherings of employees. Schedules have been altered so people are working in teams to help contain potential outbreaks. The number of employees in the building or on the floor at any given time may be lowered to ensure distance can be maintained. Workflows have been reconfigured. Conference rooms have been turned to break rooms. And while some of these measures may be temporary, they may offer long-term benefits.
3. Mental Health
COVID-19 has demonstrated a need for employees and employers alike to address the issue of mental health. While some companies have programs in place, there is still opportunity for improvement.
In August, the CDC announced that almost 41% of all adults in the United States are struggling with their mental health or substance use, double what had been historically reported pre-pandemic.
A separate study conducted by APNORC and SAP found that of 1,015 surveyed employees, about one-fourth were considering quitting their job.
“In dealing with COVID-19, it’s important to formalize the fact that we are all experiencing some level of anxiety, loneliness and isolation,” says Darcy Gruttadaro, J.D., director of the Center for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Association Foundation. “Normalizing these feelings helps people feel comfortable in sharing their feelings. And if the top leadership is open as well, it helps create a culture that can address mental health issues.”
Written by: Misya Qamarina