COVID-19 second wave: Are you ready? How a worker safety monitoring solution can prepare you
While it’s still somewhat debatable at the moment, increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases are showing us that a second wave of the virus may be imminent. The good news is that there may have been lessons learned from the first time, allowing us the privilege of hindsight to improve our tact, better protecting our workers and communities.
In fact, Dr. Lisa Lockerd Maragakis of John Hopkins Health System says a second wave “could happen before fall.” She also says that the combination of the annual flu season with the surge in coronavirus could put people at risk, “complicating the picture” even further.
If she is right – which is very likely – employers need to be prepared to protect their team, particularly the increased numbers of those working at home as well as essential services employees, working out in the field, sometimes alone.
Worker safety monitoring for those at home
In 2020, Daniel from Abbotsford, BC, collapsed at his computer while working from home for his human resources job, which mandated their employees work remotely because of social-distancing requirements. Daniel had experienced a small stroke but required emergency attention immediately. Luckily, his girlfriend found him just in time and got the 32-year-old to a hospital.
If a second wave occurs, more employees will be sent home to work, adding to the already large number of teleworkers from the first wave. Because of this new normal, it is paramount that employers look at ways to protect them from a distance. There are several proactive ways to protect these types of workers, such as conducting updated hazard assessments and regular safety training for your staff.
Having a way to monitor the safety of your remote team is also essential. This can be done through a manual check-in system or an automated lone worker safety app, allowing staff to confirm their safety quickly and easily. Daniel’s girlfriend found him in time but had she not, he could have been in serious trouble. People working at home can fall and collapse for several reasons, and a fall-detection tool could be a lifesaver, sending for help when the worker is powerless to do so.
Worker safety monitoring for those out in the field
This past summer, Ontario utility worker Ronaldo was repairing a damaged powerline when he experienced a large arc flash, burning his hands and face as well as causing temporary blindness and deafness. Luckily, Ronaldo’s company was using a worker monitoring tool and the father-of-two pressed an emergency button provided by the tool. If or when the second wave comes, it will be more crucial than ever to protect those providing essential services so that life can go on somewhat as usual. Like those working at home, one of the most effective ways to protect your team members out in the field is to establish a check-in system in which they can corroborate their safety.
There a number of ways you can protect these essential services providers from the invisible enemy and any existing hazards. Whatever the definition of “essential worker” may be, everything must be done to ensure the safety of these people, particularly utility workers like Ronaldo and frontline and community healthcare staff, keeping our homes and communities warm and healthy.
A big challenge ahead of us
2020 has already been a challenging year, but those obstacles may not be cleared yet. In order to overcome whatever the future holds, we have a responsibility be proactive, doing everything we can now to protect our vulnerable workers such as implement ways to monitor their well-being. What we do now can make a serious difference if we ride the second wave or crash beneath it.