Back to work in level 3: how to successfully protect yourself, colleagues at work place

AS SOUTH Africa battles to contain the second wave of the coronavirus, millions will be preparing to go back to work – balancing their own safety and health, and, thus, that of their co-workers and loved ones, to earn an income to provide for their dependants and stimulate an economy that has been hit hard by the pandemic.

That balancing act need not be a risky, high-wire circus walk, but a cautious, sensible and strict implementation of simple behaviours.

The Solidarity Fund's #UnityinAction campaign seeks to instil these basic behaviours: wear a mask properly; social distance, and stay at home as much as you can in line with the new lockdown regulations.

Many companies have moved to work-from-home solutions. But many more workers, businesses, industries and occupations are not able to work remotely. For millions, travelling to and from work is a reality. It exposes them to an increased possibility of infection via interaction with others at the workplace or on public transport.

How can workers best protect themselves? They should start with the mindset that all are at risk.

Safety and health is the responsibility of all.Make key behaviours part of your daily work habit. Wear a mask properly, keep social distancing and keep up constant hygiene practices.

During the #UnityinAction campaign, Solidarity Fund agents on the ground found that taxi owners and marshals are very aware of the protocols. There must be temperature checks before boarding, masks must be worn and sanitiser provided. Open taxi windows allow for greater ventilation.

The government gazetted detailed safety measures for the workplace in June last year, outlining the responsibilities of employers – providing masks free-of-charge for each employee, sufficient free sanitiser, facilities for staff to regularly wash their hands, limiting interactions to a minimum between employees, clients and customers; limiting capacity in common spaces like elevators, and implementing staggered shifts for staff, among others

As well as symptom checking, disinfecting surfaces and reporting infections to the medical authorities, employers must instruct employees to stay at home if they feel ill or show any coronavirus symptoms. As the festive season has shown, complacency is the enemy.