Prevent the spread of virus in the workplace

According to the DOH Workplace Handbook On COVID-19 Management and Prevention, all employees and workers shall: 

1. Always practice personal protective measures such as regular hand washing, wearing of face masks and face shield, physical distancing of at least 1 meter, and avoiding crowded places.
2. Self isolate or just stay at home and not report to work if with COVID-19 like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, myalgia, flu-like illness). Inform your supervisor immediately of your condition.
3. Undergo risk exposure assessment and be subjected to contact tracing procedure if with to determine self-health and self-exposure. guidelines. exposure to COVID-19 suspect, probable or confirmed case, according to prescribed national guidelines set by the Department of Health and local government and workplace policies; truthfully filling in Health Declaration Form (DTI-DOLE Interim and Supplemental Guidelines).
4. Adopt an appropriate alternative work arrangement upon discussion with and approval by your work supervisors subject to governing rules and regulations and other local personnel.
5. Keep personal track of daily activities for easier history-taking when contact tracing is needed.
6. Strictly follow and implement guidelines on infection control procedures, waste management, and all other guidelines on managing visitors and clients.
7. Strictly adhere to guidelines on implementing community quarantine issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases and all other authorized bodies regarding mass gatherings, observance of minimum health standards and physical distancing.
8. Always fact-check and be on alert for any new information or advisory.

Engineering Controls  

1. Maintain physical/ social distancing or spacing

2. Ensure adequate air exchange in enclosed (indoor) areas

3. Installation of hand hygiene and sanitation facilities, and provision of materials such as the following: 

• Adequate and safe water supply 
• Hand washing station or sink 
• Soap and water or 70% Isopropyl (or Ethyl) Alcohol 
• Hands-free trash receptacles, soap and towel dispensers, door openers, and other similar hands-free equipment

4. Separate Entry and Exit points in high-traffic areas 

• Use of unidirectional markers 
• Installation of signages for queuing and unidirectional movement 
• Sectioning 
• Queueing 
• Foot baths are no longer recommended

5. Establishment of a Screening or Triage area at different points of entry: 

• Health Declaration or Symptom Assessment
• Non-contact Temperature Check 
• Isolation area near point-of-entry for symptomatic individuals

6. The use of disinfection tents, misting chambers, or sanitation booths for preventing and controlling COVID-19 transmission are no longer recommended 

7. Installation of visual cues or signages to communicate

8. Facility for proper storage, collection, treatment, and disposal of used PPE and other infectious waste

Non-Medical Interventions

1. Properly fitted surgical masks - For workers with high risk of exposure to COVID-19

2. Cloth masks (fits snugly on the face and made of at least two layers of cotton or non-woven nylon with aluminum nose bridge) -  general public with low risk of exposure to COVID-19 in outdoor or indoor areas to prevent COVID-19 infections

3. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)

4. Face Mask - indoor areas and open spaces where physical distancing is not possible

Ventilation

Non Air-conditioned Spaces

1. Use of doors, windows, and other openings 

2. Ensure that natural air brought into the workplace is free of contaminants

3. Fans and air-conditioning systems can be used as mechanical ventilation

4. Dilution ventilation: Air exchange rate of 6-12 ACH

5. Air flow direction or movement should be considered in the layout of workstations

6. Conduct weekly cleaning of windows, other openings, and ventilation fans

Air-conditioned Spaces

1. HVAC systems: outdoor air supply should conform to the recommended breathing zone ventilation rates

2. Run ventilation system for at least 30 minutes before and after spaces are occupied

3. Dilution ventilation: Use of exhaust fans, filters MERV13 or higher, HEPA filters

4. Air purifiers can be used to clean recirculated air

5. Keep louvers of local air conditioning units in an upward position

6. Frequently open windows, doors, and other openings

7. Establish a cleaning and maintenance program for mechanical systems

8. Ensure that no molds or stagnant water will be circulated

9. Appropriate PPE must be worn in the cleaning and maintenance

Restrooms and Water Closets

1. Ensure exhaust fans in restroom facilities are functional and operational at full capacity

2. Close the toilet bowl seat lid before flushing, if available

3. Do not use hand blowers or jet dryers 

Hand washing and Hand hygiene

Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand disinfectants with 60-70% alcohol specifically, but not limited to these moments:

• Before entering your workplace
• Before and after handling food or eating
• After using your toilet/bathroom
• Before putting on and after taking off your face mask
• After touching frequently touched surfaces and objects such as stair railings, elevator controls, door knobs, electrical switches, etc.
• Before and after touching your face

Administrative Controls

1. Designate COVID-19 Responses Teams and Safety and Health Officers

2. Conduct internal risk exposure assessment

3. Ensure adequate provision of personal protective equipment to all employees, regardless of employment status

4. Reduce worker/client density

5. Balanced use of digital tools

6. Guidelines and monitoring mechanisms limiting unnecessary gatherings

7. Availability and adequacy of public and private shuttle services or transportation modes to and from work

8. Frequent disinfection

9. Safety and health measures when a worker arrives home

10. Employers shall be encouraged to establish flexible policies on the provision of sick leaves and health benefits

COVID-19 testing

Companies may conduct testing on employees, provided that the procurement of the tests will be shouldered by the employer. The testing and interpretation of results must be in accordance with the DOH Department Memorandum on “Revised Interim Guidelines on Expanded Testing for COVID-19”[i] and DOH Administrative Order on the “Guidelines in Securing a License to Operate a COVID-19 Testing Laboratory in the Philippines”.[ii]

The company policy agreed by the employer and employees must be in conformity with the DOH protocols on COVID-19 testing.

Employees who tested negative of the virus shall continue to work and should receive appropriate advice and instructions in case they develop any health complaints or symptoms. The company’s occupational safety and health personnel shall continue to monitor all employees.

Most at-risk workers and vulnerable groups

Companies are highly encouraged to allow these employees to work from home. Work arrangements should detail the deliverables from these employees, and there shall be no diminution in salary or benefits.

Reporting of illnesses, diseases, or injuries

The employers shall provide their DOLE Regional Office with a monthly report of illness, disease, and injuries using the DOLE Work Accident/Illness Report Form (WAIR). A copy should also be furnished to the DOH.


Please take note that the instructions above are based on the state departments' technical guidelines. Your company may add or customize some of the provisions to be fit in your office/business nature. It best to read on the instructions and guidelines set by your company.

For any queries, you may contact the following COVID-19 Hotlines:

• • DOH: (02) 894 - COVID (26843) or 1555 (for all subscribers)
  • DOLE: 1349
  • DTI Command Center: 0956 091 6570 (Text/Viber)
  • DILG Emergency Operations Center Hotline: (02) 8876 3454 local 8881 - 8884 to monitor the implementation of COVID-19 response in LGUs
  • One Hospital Command Center: (02) 885-505-00, 0915-777-7777 and 0919-977-3333
    

Sources
Department of Health. (2020, April 9). Interim Guidelines on Expanded Testing for COVID-19. doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/health-update/dc2020-0174.pdf
Department of Health. (2020, April 7). Guidelines in Securing a License to Operate a COVID-19 Testing Laboratory. www.doh.gov.ph/node/21040

DOH Workplace Handbook On COVID-19 Management and Prevention (2021, October) https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Workplace-Handbook-Version-as-of-October-2021.pdf