Been asked to go back to a small office with unavoidable multiple shared areas

Thrugelmir

Grumpy_chap said:

With regard to the people that work with key workers in the NHS - how is that relevant?  Work in the NHS cannot maintain the 2 m rule.

There's not even social distancing within the NHS offices within hospitals. Simply not enough space to spread everyone out.

jimkelly

gettingtheresometime said:

jimkelly said:

sharpe106 said:

The sanitary issues are one which can only be resolved by the employer and cannot just be ignored.

I would have thought the issue of toilets would be one of the easiest to solve.

if people are going to need direction on how to use shared bathroom facilities, then the public had better brace themselves for no public toilets for a very long time

Here is some guidance for employers:

Toilet facilities:
The number of people using toilet facilities at any one time will need to be restricted and you should wash your hands before and after using the facilities.

Enhanced cleaning regimes for toilet facilities particularly door handles, locks and the toilet flush needs to be implemented. 

Portable chemical toilets should be avoided wherever possible, but where their use can’t be avoided, these should be cleaned and emptied more frequently.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:
• Restrict the number of people using toilet facilities at any one time.
• Use signage, such as floor markings, to ensure two metre distance is maintained between people when queuing to use the facilities.
• Consider closing off urinals and sinks so that operatives cannot stand next to each other whilst using the facilities.
• Ensure you wash or sanitise hands before and after using the facilities.
• Enhance the cleaning regime for the toilet facilities, especially if using a portable chemical toilet.
• Ensure an adequate supply of hand towels.
• Rubbish bins for hand towels should be provided along with an enhanced removal and disposal process.
• If utilising a portaloo provide cleaning wipes within the loo so that the users can wipe them down prior to leaving.

Frugal_Noodle

OP, disregard anyone that is advising you to not be so worried. People being blase about this is why we have more COVID cases than every other European country PUT TOGETHER. You have every right to be concerned, you have every right to be nervous. You have every right to ask your employer to put systems in place, and to have any measure which should be obeyed IN WRITING, to ensure that people aren't putting you at risk unnecessarily.

Ask for a risk assessment. 2 metre seperation is a must. Only use shared areas one at a time. When I'm at work, I wipe down my chair arms, desk, computer mouse and keyboard carefully (hot desking. ew!). Anyone that can work from home should be doing so. My employer has taped over every other urinal in an attempt to keep people apart, but has switched to insisiting only one person use the loo at once. Use hand sanitizer. Wear a mask whenever you are away from your personal desk. I personally dont eat with my hands when I'm at work - cutlery only. Don't be afraid to speak up if your colleagues are putting you at risk. I have had to tell people to step away on numerous occasions, including the numpty security guy at the front desk who spends his day walking right up to everyone that enters the building to say hi.