Pandemic Recovery Safety Planning Resources Now Available
PORTLAND, Maine – As states begin to lift restrictions on employers in various segments of the economy, MEMIC has released a safety procedures template to guide employers. The MEMIC Pandemic Recovery Safety Planning guide includes forms to assist with preparation, training and documentation.
“’Planning’ is the operative word when bringing people back to the workplace,” said Karl Siegfried, Senior Vice President of Loss Control at MEMIC. “We know the thousands of employers we insure want to protect their people as they regain their footing but rushing the process without planning can undermine their long-term goal of remaining open and serving their customers.
“Whether in manufacturing, education, health care or hospitality, there are fundamental steps we all need to take to avoid a resurgence of this coronavirus. To that end, our template is being made available to everyone to help do it safely,” said Siegfried.
Siegfried emphasized employers need to concentrate on
- hazard identification
- communication
- training
- sanitation
- distancing
- compliance
- exposure tracing
“Of all the activities required to bring people back to work safely, the most important are communication and training. Persistent communication helps create understanding and emphasizes expectations of safe behavior. Training helps co-workers recognize hazards and, as important, it builds a culture of accountability to one another,” said Siegfried. “And, should a co-worker be diagnosed, it is essential that all contacts at work be documented and acted upon as described in the template.”
MEMIC urges all employers to adopt the guidelines and to share the material provided with their customers and vendors as soon as possible.
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About MEMIC
The MEMIC Group includes MEMIC Indemnity Company, MEMIC Casualty Company, and parent company Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company; all rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. As a super‐regional workers’ compensation specialty insurer, The MEMIC Group holds licenses to write workers’ compensation in 46 states. In addition to its headquarters in Portland, Maine, the group maintains offices in New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida. FMI: www.memic.com