The Environmental Health Department will be monitoring the practices of businesses operating within the domestic industry to ensure their safe management and operation during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
This is one of the measures outlined in Government’s COVID-19 Framework for the Recommencement of the Domestic Industry in Barbados.
According to a press release, the document states that the Environmental Health Department will “review, strengthen, and monitor the health and safety policies and processes of the domestic industry”.
This includes monitoring areas such as personal hygiene (hand washing, respiratory hygiene); the cleaning of contact surfaces; infection prevention and control (particularly the use of standard precautions such as personal protective equipment and social distancing); and monitoring of illness among employees.
However, employers are encouraged to conduct risk assessment to determine the risk of exposure and eliminate those risks. Where this is not possible, the requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) must be provided for employees.
Additionally, people making deliveries are required to wash or sanitise their hands before and after each delivery. Employers should ensure that lunchtimes are staggered to allow for social distancing during breaks.
All surfaces must be sanitised at the beginning and end of each work day, as practical. Surfaces, according to the framework, include high contact and food contact surfaces, door knobs, handrails and telephones.
Posters displaying handwashing guidelines should be placed in key areas, such as the lunchroom and bathrooms. Employees should also consider taking bottled water to work.
In terms of general work practices, employers are urged to consider staggering work hours in an effort to prevent workers crowding on public transport.
Employees are also encouraged to go straight home at the end of the work day. They are reminded that they are not allowed to take intoxicating substances while on the job. (BGIS)
