These are unprecedented, challenging, trying times. Are you getting a little tired of hearing that for the past 6 months? I know I am. However, COVID-19 is still active, and it is imperative that businesses operate in a manner that maximizes the safety of employees, clients, and the public.
Orion is an essential business and has been operating throughout the pandemic. However, it is anything but business as usual. The state of California issued its order to stay home on 19 March 2020. That same day, staff at Orion were notified to begin working from home. Our staff in Northern California had already been working from home for over a week.
A number of our staff were not initially equipped to work remotely as our collaborative culture is more suited to an office environment. Laptop computers were provided to those who only had office desktop computers. We made sure that all staff had access to corporate servers through our Virtual Private Network (VPN). All direct office telephone numbers were forwarded to staff cell phones. In addition, voicemails left on office lines were re-routed via e-mail as waveform audio files to our personnel to limit disruption to daily operations. In-person visits and meetings with other Orion staff and outside parties have been curtailed in favor of virtual meetings until further notice. The adjustment has been challenging, but our dedicated staff have risen to meet that challenge in an impressive way.
Personnel Safety: We follow CDC and local guidelines for COVID-19 protocols and require employees to practice the following hygienic best practices to prevent the spread of any illness in the office, remote workplace, and community:
- Practice “social distancing” and implement any safety precautions necessary to perform work safely.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds and, if soap and water are not readily available, use alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean workspace frequently.
- Self-isolate for 14 days if experiencing any COVID-like symptoms or had contact with anyone who has any COVID-like symptoms.
Field Activities: In an effort to comply with regulatory requirements, Orion is continuing to conduct field activities by adhering to the following procedures:
- Confirm with client that field work is authorized.
- Confirm that all work can be performed with sufficient social distancing.
- Continue to conduct all work in accordance with site-specific Job Safety Analyses that include COVID-19 as a potential hazard with mitigating measures for implementation.
- Conduct a pre-work screening to identify if any subcontractors or onsite personnel are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who has any COVID-like symptoms.
- Require that all onsite personnel immediately wash, or disinfect, their hands at a designated wash station.
- Encourage all contractors and personnel to bring lunch to avoid trips off site to public spaces.
Travel: Orion has placed restrictions on domestic and international travel. Personal and work-related international travel is strictly prohibited for the time being. Non-essential domestic work-related travel has been cancelled until further notice and personal domestic travel is discouraged. However, employees are required to check the CDC travel health notices and must notify Orion before any planned personal domestic travel. A 14-day isolation period may be required upon returning from a trip before returning to the office or performing field work with others. Also, if employees cohabitate with someone who recently returned from a country that the CDC has recommended limiting all non-essential travel, employees must notify Orion immediately and self-isolate for 14 days.
Unfortunately, office visits are unavoidable as our staff mobilize for field programs or gather office supplies. When staff do visit the office, we take the following precautions:
- Wear a mask in public areas.
- Do NOT visit anyone else’s office.
- Do NOT meet with anyone in a conference room, no matter how far apart you sit. ALL conference rooms are closed for use.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from others.
- Clean areas in common rooms with sanitizer wipes before and after use.
This is a dynamic situation and it is key to follow guidelines coming from our national, state, and local authorities. Stay safe!