IN many places around the world, offices are coming back to life one by one. It is gradual but some employers do want their teams, or at least a few of them, to report back and work from the office a few days a week.
It may be the same in the Philippines, although some office workers here have been coming to work in the office for some time now. But for those who are reopening the workplace after a long time of non-use, there are things that the office administrator or office manager must do to ensure the workers’ safety.
But first, a word on vaccines. Experts agree that vaccinated individuals have the option to keep wearing their masks for increased protection. Unvaccinated workers should be required to wear masks in the office and, if they are eligible, should get vaccinated as soon as possible. This should be our first step towards safety.
Social distancing still works, especially in places where most people are not vaccinated and where local case rates are still high. Otherwise, experts suggest that it might be better to minimize the number of workers at any given time.
Proper and regular handwashing remains to be one of the most effective ways to fight the spread of disease. And as far as cleaning surfaces and the physical office are concerned, soap and water are preferred over any chemical-based cleaners, which can be toxic. It is also important to check for mold growth and pest infestation before allowing people in.
To prepare the rooms for the workers, it is very important to clean the air, ventilation systems, and filters. Air out every room by opening windows for a long time to promote air circulation before allowing people to work inside. But even when workers have already occupied the space, it is still important to open the windows a few times a day to make sure there is enough fresh air coming in.
Experts also recommend the use of high-quality air filters and air purifiers with HEPA filters to clean the air further. What they do not suggest are the air-cleaning devices—foggers, fumigators, ionizers, ozone generators, etc.—that introduce potentially toxic chemicals into the air to neutralize its harmful components, like coronavirus.
Finally, the unused water pipes and the whole plumbing system must be checked for possible growth of harmful bacteria. Flushing may be helpful to get rid of most dangerous organisms. To do this, experts recommend letting faucets, showerheads, etc. run for 15 minutes to an hour before allowing people to use them.
Inasmuch as we want to quickly go back to our old lives and some of our old ways of working, it makes more sense to prepare carefully to minimize risks. It may take more time and more expense, but it’s all worth the cost and time investment.