Health Risks of Going Back to The Office

COVID-19 will of course be the first concern of going back to the office after lockdowns. Regular mobility is required, which involves crowded and shared spaces, especially in places like Mexico City. While this should be the first cause of concern and sanitary measures must be applied, there are other worrying situations that can hinder this path to the “new normal.”

Even in smart office buildings, some preparations should be made before employees are back. Arranging an inspection of the entire space and a deep cleaning are a must, as well as providing training on good hygiene for employees and cleaning teams, along with a cleaning schedule.

Cardinus Risk Management recommends establishing distancing protocols not only at the work place but also where food is prepared or eaten, during internal meetings and meetings with clients. Most importantly, companies must implement staggered arrivals and departures. The company also recommends establishing a mental health protocol as this new normal reality has had a significant impact on people’s health.

Aside from superficial cleaning, plumbing in buildings must also be checked. Still water in pipes and toilets cause an accumulation of bacteria that is a potential threat to health. Infectious outbreaks caused by accumulated bacteria have caused sanitary crises such as the Flint Water Crisis in 2014 and the Legionellosis outbreak in North Carolina in 2019. When water is left stagnant for long periods of time, disinfectant efforts lose their effectiveness.

In Mexico, Patrick Devlyn, President of the Health Commission of CCE, has recommended to have a staggered comeback to office spaces. He added that diagnostic tests could help to track cases and avoid any risk of contagion that could potentially send all employees back home. Moreover, IMSS has released a series of educational content that includes training and guidelines to identify COVID-19, as the institute has showed concerns on workers’ safety.

According to the “new normal” reactivation plan, corporate offices are expected to resume activities in August as they fall under category 3 of the new normal chart. In Mexico City, the date can change depending on the hospital occupation in the capital.

Mexican authorities are aware of the health risks involved in the new normal and the return to the office, so they have posted Technical Guidelines of Sanitary Safety in the Work Environment, among which are:

• Avoiding wearing jewelry, ties, beards and mustaches, as they are considered reservoirs of viruses and microorganisms.
• Not sharing phones, kitchen utensils, PPE, stationery, pens, etc.
• Keeping distance with your colleagues of at least 1.5m or, when appropriate, wearing face masks and eye or face protection.
• In the case of cafeterias or dining rooms, the cashier, kitchen and wait staff must have their hair tied up and use face masks.
• If teleworking is not possible, entry hours and shift changes must be staggered. Flexible hours and other actions should be taken to prevents large concentrations of workers on the premises at certain times.

The Ministry of Labor emphasizes that workers must keep their distance, continuously wash their hands and using face masks. Meanwhile, companies should keep work areas ventilated and provide sanitizer to employees. Furthermore, IMSS has asked companies to hand over their work space plan if they are planning an early return. The institute has promised a quick response following the necessary recommendations and corrections.