Bill Geary is the Executive Vice President and General Manager – Communications & Security Solutions (CSS) at Wesco International.
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In what U.S. News has called the "Great Return," many organizations are bringing virtual teams back to the physical workplace. Return to the workplace calls for increased disinfection and air movement protocols, while the need for technological advancements and cost management to decrease business and employee health risks is pressing.
In addition to better, high-performing infrastructure (including networks) to support your returning teams, business leaders need ways to track potential exposure and ensure safe working environments.
As teams return to the workplace, having the appropriate safety and technical solutions in place can help mitigate risk and reduce operational expenses.
1. Protect people and assets in buildings.
In addition to providing efficiency and security, technology in buildings can help improve workplace safety through tactics such as improved air quality and proximity tracking for social distancing.
Physical access control can provide safer spaces as individuals are authenticated before entry, ultimately protecting people and assets within commercial buildings. It is based on three principles to authenticate individuals entering building spaces.
1. Something that you have (card access).
2. Something that you know (PIN code).
3. Something that you are (biometrics).
Building applications that leverage physical access control can also enhance the occupant experience by personalizing user preferences in spaces that they occupy. For example, this can include climate control and lighting levels. These applications can also provide for activity-based monitoring to facilitate desk/room booking and more efficient cleaning protocols. Through these applications, team members can feel comfortable and work effectively as they return to the workplace.
2. Improve indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a key concern as associates return to the office. While airborne diseases aren't a new concern, the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of IAQ to health and safety. The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge recently issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlines recommendations to improve IAQ in buildings and help prevent the risk of airborne spread of viruses.
To help reduce risks from indoor contaminants, optimize air ventilation and enhance air filtration. Additionally, consider disinfection technology and strategies to kill viruses, bacteria and mold.
3. Ensure an ergonomic setup in a hybrid environment.
The traditional office space has changed. According to Harvard Business Review, more than 90% of employers are planning to adopt some type of hybrid working model in 2022. Many organizations are considering office and cubicle hoteling, which can present a challenge when creating an ergonomically correct workstation for each associate. Consider adjustable-height desks and ergonomic chairs that will provide a comfortable environment for hoteling employees.
To help reduce injuries, encourage team members to sit with a neutral posture, whether working from the office or at home. This posture includes:
• A straight neck and wrists.
• Shoulders hanging loosely.
• Elbows, hips and knees at a 90-degree angle.
• A supported lower back.
4. Clean, sterilize and disinfect while tracking potential exposure.
Many organizations are moving toward an activity-based mechanism model for cleaning and sanitization—for example, leveraging people-counting sensors to see how many people accessed a bathroom or cafeteria. When a certain threshold is reached, a building management system notifies the cleaning team. On the other hand, this technology can be used to control the costs of sanitizing by indicating which areas of the building may not have been used.
Being able to track potential exposure to Covid-19 is critical to help ensure workplace safety. Consider developing an emergency response and business continuity team that is trained to mobilize and enact the company’s plan for different emergencies, as well as monitor ongoing pandemic concerns and adjust protocols as needed. Then bake this into existing safety programs so that guidelines are properly managed and documented. Implementing social distancing and disinfection protocols and encouraging good hygiene are also ways to help reduce exposure.
Additionally, educational resources are available from OSHA, including OSHA’s Guide on Ventilation in the Workplace and an example health screening questionnaire.
Ensuring Safety As Teams Return To The Workplace
As organizations bring virtual teams back to the physical workplace, having protocols and technology in place can help ensure the health and safety of associates. Measures such as improving air quality, increasing sanitization and tracking exposure are just a few ways that will help team members feel safe as they return to the office.
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