As you likely know, COVID-19 cases are on the rise. Although, we’ve been practicing many extra precautions since the outbreak began in March, we have recently updated our Preparedness Plan to continue providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our tenants, customers, staff and technicians. Many of these precautions were covered in our initial COVID-19 Action Plan, but we want to make you aware of our continued efforts to serve you safely during this pandemic.
BMM’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows the industry guidance developed by the state of Minnesota, which is based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines for COVID-19, Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA) statutes, rules and standards, and Minnesota’s relevant and current executive orders. It addresses:
- ensuring sick workers stay home and prompt identification and isolation of sick persons
- social distancing – workers must be at least six-feet apart whenever possible
- worker hygiene
- workplace cleaning and disinfection protocol
- drop-off, pick-up and delivery practices and protocol; and
- communications and training practices and protocol.
Building Maintenance Management has reviewed and incorporated the industry guidance applicable to our business provided by the state of Minnesota for the development of this plan, including the following industry guidance Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services. Other conditions and circumstances included in the industry guidance and addressed in the plan that are specific to our business include:
In the event that a BMM technician needs to enter an occupied apartment unit and the tenant DOES NOT have symptoms of Covid-19:
- BMM’s technician will proceed to enter with a fresh pair of gloves which will be disposed of immediately after leaving the unit.
- Face protection will be worn by BMM’s technician the entire time they are in the unit.
- The tenant will be asked to respect social distance rules during the duration of the service call.
- BMM’s technician will wash his/her hands immediately before and after the service call.
- Face masks will be worn in common areas and outside when social distancing is not possible.
In the event that a BMM technician needs to enter an occupied apartment unit and the tenant DOES have symptoms of Covid-19:
- BMM’s technician will proceed to enter with the following fresh items and dispose of the items, in a trash bag, immediately after leaving the unit: Tyvek suit, respirator, gloves, goggles.
- The tenant will be asked to stay in a different room during the duration of the service call.
- BMM’s technician will wash his/her hands immediately before and after the service call.
Inside common areas and outdoors:
- BMM’s technicians will wear face masks in all inside common areas.
- BMM technicians will avoid getting on crowded elevators. No more than two people in an elevator car.
- Face masks must be worn outdoors when social distancing (6’ apart) is not possible.
Sick Employees
Workers have been informed of and encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The following policies and procedures are being implemented to assess workers’ health status prior to entering the workplace and for workers to report when they are sick or experiencing symptoms. If an employee experiences symptoms of COVID 19, they are required to call their manager and report it, they are then required to stay home from work and encouraged to get a test. They must remain home until they are symptom free for three days. If a person becomes ill while at work they must report it immediately to their manager, and the manager will have them leave the property immediately. The manager will then talk to the customer to explain the possible exposure risks.
Worker Hygiene
Basic infection prevention measures have been implemented at our workplaces. Workers are instructed to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water frequently throughout the day, but especially at the beginning and end of their shift, prior to any mealtimes and after using the restroom. Hand-sanitizer is available to our technicians, they must always carry it with them for hand hygiene in place of soap and water, until they can get to a sink between work orders.
Workers are being instructed to cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and to avoid touching their face, particularly their mouth, nose and eyes, with their hands. Workers are expected to dispose of tissues in provided trash receptacles and wash or sanitize their hands immediately afterward.
Workplace Cleaning
Regular practices of cleaning and disinfecting have been implemented, including a schedule for routine cleaning and disinfecting of work surfaces, equipment, tools and machinery, vehicles and areas in the work environment, including restrooms, lunch rooms, meeting rooms, and drop-off and pick-up locations. Frequent cleaning and disinfecting are being conducted of high-touch areas, including phones, keyboards, touch screens, door handles, railings, copy machines, etc. There is a calendar posted on each level of the office showing who is responsible for the cleaning each day. When cleaning is finished it is required to initial the calendar stating it has been completed. We are cleaning with Clorox disinfecting wipes which kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.
In the event someone in the office has tested positive for COVID 19, the office will be closed in order to be thoroughly cleaned before the staff will be allowed to come back to work.
Appropriate and effective cleaning and disinfecting supplies have been purchased and are available for use in accordance with product labels, safety data sheets and manufacturer specifications, and are being used with required personal protective equipment for the product.
Communication & Training
This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan has been certified by BMM management and the plan was posted throughout the workplace and made readily available to employees since March. Necessary training was provided, and additional communication and training has been ongoing as needed. Training will be provided to all workers who did not receive the initial training and prior to initial assignment or reassignment.
We hope you know that BMM is doing our best to keep everyone safe and healthy during this difficult time. If you have any questions about our COVID-19 protocol, please call us at 763-541-4886 or contact us.
