Service Matters: Speer Mechanical Response to Coronavirus
I am sure many of you have been following the news regarding the Coronavirus and its spread to the US. In response to this, please read the attached Speer Industries office policy on Coronavirus. Also attached is information from the CDC. What impact the Coronavirus may have on our field operations is under discussion. However, no employee should report to work if they are exhibiting any symptoms that are similar to those of the Coronavirus or believe they have been exposed to the Coronavirus.
Information is changing daily, and the best source for updates is: The CDC: www.cdc.gov
This is an emerging and rapidly evolving situation, and no one knows how this situation will progress and when it will end. We are trying to find a supply of antibacterial soap, disinfectant wipes, etc., to keep in the office and ask you to wipe down your own work areas every day including keyboards and phones. After using a conference room please wipe down table, chairs, and phone. The cleaning products should remain in the office because they are in limited supply and on backorder. We will try and distribute them next week. Exempt, salaried employees need to retain your vacation time just in case you or a member of your family become ill, area schools close, etc. If this happens, we may be able to consider some work from home options for some positions.
Following the lead from our State Health Department we are advising everyone to not shake hands, please limit your exposure to large groups, and limit all visitor meetings at Speer Mechanical. We will keep you advised of any changes regarding our company policy or operations.
Best regards,
John Harper
President
Speer Mechanical
The Coronavirus is a rapidly spreading virus which causes respiratory illness in infected patients. While the virus has so far been contained in the United States, public health officials warn that it could spread rapidly as the rate of passing the infection is high. Persons infected generally have the following symptoms: fever, muscle pain and dry cough which then leads to shortness of breath and other difficulties in breathing. We are therefore implementing this employment policy to safeguard the health and welfare of all employees; to comply with all local, state and federal health and safety standards; and to ensure the continued general operation of the business.
Preventing the Spread of Infection in the Workplace
We will endeavor to keep the workplace environment clean including the regularcleaning of objects and areas that are frequently used such as bathrooms, meeting rooms, the kitchen and the floors. Frequently touched surfaces on personal items, such as desks, phones and keyboards should be disinfected and cleaned at least twice daily. We cannot rely on the cleaning company to do this so each employee should take care of their own work area.
Unless impeded by a short supply of product, we will make sanitizing hand lotion and sanitizing wipes available throughout the office. We would ask that you utilize these items at least several times each day. We will also direct our cleaning service to sanitize all public areas and surfaces. Employees are encouraged to frequently wash their hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, especially when returning to their office from the outside and before and after eating.
The CDC has recommended the following steps as the most important steps you can take to help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
4. Stay home when you are sick.
5. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
7. Don’t shake hands.
8. Reduce your exposure to large groups of people.
Unless otherwise notified, our normal attendance and leave policies will remain in place. If you feel sick with fever, cough, have difficulty breathing, have traveled internationally, or were in close contact with someone with coronavirus in the 14 days before you began to feel sick, please alert your health care provider before going to an already scheduled appointment or to the emergency department.
Limiting Travel
The company will suspend all non-essential airline travel. In addition, it may be best to avoid public transportation when possible.
Staying Home When Ill
Many times, with the best of intentions, employees may report to work though they feel ill. We do not want you to report to work if you feel ill or believe you have been exposed to someone with Coronavirus. Until the concern for the spread of Coronavirus is minimized, we require all staff to do the following:
1. Employees are encouraged to monitor their own health. Any employee who exhibits the initial viral symptoms – fever, dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and experiences shortness of breath or other problems breathing – will not be allowed to come to work. Those employees are required to seek medical
advice and be properly tested by a qualified healthcare provider and receive a negative diagnosis for infection.
advice and be properly tested by a qualified healthcare provider and receive a negative diagnosis for infection.
2. Those employees who are required to stay at home may use their vacation days to compensate for loss of work. Telecommuting requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. While not all positions will be eligible, all requests for temporary telecommuting should be submitted to your manager for
consideration. The company reserves the right to require you to work from home, if it is feasible.
consideration. The company reserves the right to require you to work from home, if it is feasible.
3. All employees who have traveled to a country designated by the Center for Disease Control as having a Level 3 Travel Health Notice will be required to remain out of work for at least 14 calendar days and may be required to work from home. If they remain asymptomatic after the 14-day period ends,
they may return to work. Information pertaining to the
they may return to work. Information pertaining to the
Center for Disease Control Travel Health Notices can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
4. All employees who have had close contact or live with someone who
a. ) has contracted the Coronavirus or
b. ) has traveled to a country designated by the Center for Disease Control as having a Level 3 Travel Health Notice, will be required to remain out of work for at least 14 calendar days after the exposure and may be required to work from home. If they remain asymptomatic after the 14-day period ends, they may return to work. Requests for Medical Information and Documentation.
If you are out sick or show symptoms of being ill, it may become necessary to request information from you and/or your health care provider. In general, we would request medical information to confirm your need to be absent, to show whether and how an absence relates to the infection, and to know that it is appropriate for you to return to work. We expect and appreciate your cooperation if medical information is sought.
Confidentiality of Medical Information
Our policy is to treat any medical information as a confidential medical record. Any disclosure of medical information is in limited circumstances with supervisors, managers, first aid and safety personnel and government officials as required by law.
Customer Locations and Policies
All employees shall follow the health and safety directives and protocols that our customers have put in place when on their sites.
Policy Update: March 20, 2020
We are working with our clients, trade partners and suppliers in order to take all necessary precautions to protect our employees, clients, staff, guests and our customers. Speer Mechanical’s policy is to always provide a safe place to work and to conduct all operations in a manner as to provide protection
for all individuals who might encounter these operations, as well as any of our client’s requirements.
for all individuals who might encounter these operations, as well as any of our client’s requirements.
We are following the recommendations of CDC and State of Ohio Department of Health.
Stay at Home if you are Sick
- You must take your temperature every morning before coming to work.
- You cannot come to work if you have a fever.
- You cannot come to work if you have tested positive for COVID19 – until you have been symptom free for 14 days or are cleared in writing by a medical professional.
- You cannot come to work if you have completed a trip to a CDC Categorized Coronavirus Warning Level 3 location.
- You must notify your manager if you have encountered anyone who has tested positive for COVID19
- You must notify your manager if you have encountered anyone who has a fever
Monitor your Health and understand the symptoms of COVID19.
If you do not have a fever but show other symptoms of COVID19 – dry cough, muscle aches, shortness of breath, you are to leave the jobsite and contact your manager.
Jobsite behavior follows the CDC and State of Ohio Department of Health guidelines.
Practice good personal hygiene
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
- If you need to cough or sneeze use a tissue and discard the tissue into the trash. If you do not have a tissue use the crook of your elbow.
- Disinfect your work area.
- Keep your distance from other workers – at least 6 feet of separation.
- Do not share tools and disinfect tools after use.
If you have any questions or concerns about your safety or the safety of your jobsite contact your manager immediately.