Corona virus emergency, signed a protocol between the social partners to guard the health of workers

Corona virus emergency, signed a protocol between the social partners to guard the health of workers

The document contains guidelines to facilitate companies within the adoption of anti-contagion safety protocols and provides operational indications to extend the effectiveness of the precautionary measures that are adopted to combat the epidemic

ROME - "The continuation of production activities can only happen within the presence of conditions that ensure adequate levels of protection for working people". this is often the premise of the "Shared protocol for regulating measures to combat and contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus within the workplace", signed on Saturday 14 March by trade unions and trade associations - at the invitation of the Prime Minister and ministers of Economy, Labor, Economic Development and Health - with the aim of avoiding the blocking of the operations of companies during this emergency phase, while guaranteeing the protection of workers' health.

A shared action plan divided into 13 points. To this end, the document contains guidelines to facilitate companies in the adoption of anti-contagion safety protocols and provides operational indications aimed at increasing, in non-health workplaces, the effectiveness of the precautionary measures adopted to counteract the Coronavirus epidemic. Thirteen areas of intervention foreseen, from how to enter the company to the use of individual protection devices, from the management of common areas to health surveillance.

Employees may be subjected to temperature control. Companies, in particular, inform their employees about the provisions of the authorities, by delivering and / or posting information brochures at the entrance and in the most visible places of the company premises, starting from the obligation to stay at home in the presence of fever above 37.5 ° or other flu symptoms and to call your family doctor and health authority. Before entering the workplace, staff may also be subjected to body temperature checks. The entry into the company is also barred to those who, in the last 14 days, have had contacts with subjects tested positive for Coronavirus or come from areas at risk of epidemiology.

Methods of access of external suppliers and sanitation of the premises. For access, transit and exit of external suppliers it is appropriate to identify predefined methods, routes and timelines, to reduce the opportunities for contact with the staff of the departments involved. If possible, the drivers of the means of transport must remain on their own vehicles and access to the offices is not allowed for any reason. The company ensures daily cleaning and periodic sanitization of the premises, environments, workstations and common and leisure areas. It is also mandatory that people present in the company take all hygienic precautions, especially for the hands.

Mandatory mask for those who work less than a meter away. In cases where the task performed requires you to work less than a meter away and other organizational solutions are not possible, the use of masks and other protective devices, such as gloves, goggles, overalls, headphones and gowns, is necessary, comply with the provisions of the scientific and health authorities. Access to common areas, including company canteens, smoking areas and changing rooms is contingent, with the provision of continuous ventilation of the premises, a reduced parking time inside them and the maintenance of the safety distance of one meter among the people who employ them.

Smart working, shifting and remodeling of production levels. The document also reiterates the opportunity to use smart working for all activities that can be carried out at home or remotely and, in the event that social safety nets are used, to always evaluate the possibility of ensuring that they concern all staff, including with appropriate rotations. It will also be possible to proceed with a reorganization of production levels and ensure a shift plan for employees dedicated to production, with the aim of reducing contacts as much as possible and creating autonomous, distinct and recognizable groups. All national and international business trips are suspended and canceled, even if already agreed or organized.

Stop face-to-face meetings and classroom training. As regards the management of employee entry and exit, staggered schedules are favored, so as to avoid as much contact as possible in the common areas (entrances, changing rooms, canteen). Internal travel must be limited to the bare minimum and in compliance with company guidelines. On the other hand, face-to-face meetings are not allowed, except for those necessary and urgent for which remote connection is impossible. All internal events and all classroom training activities are also suspended and canceled.

Management of suspected cases of infection. In the event that a person present in the company develops fever and symptoms of respiratory infection such as cough, he must proceed with his isolation and that of the other people present on the premises, immediately informing the competent health authorities and the emergency numbers provided by the Region or by the Ministry of Health. To allow the necessary quarantine measures to be applied, the company collaborates with the health authorities for the definition of any "close contacts" of a person present in the company who has been tested positive for Covid-19 swab.