Communications
Since the COVID-19 pandemic upended many of our daily routines, WSDA has adapted to a stream of changing circumstances no static playbook could ever address. And the situation keeps changing.
Months into this global crisis, what do our work lives look like, and what can we expect going forward? And what is expected of us?
Based on where we are today, here’s a look the latest guidance for WSDA employees. But the nature of this virus requires us to be flexible and adaptable. As the situation changes, our guidelines, plans and requirements also may need to evolve.
Jobsite requirements and responsibilities
Many WSDA employees have continued to support the essential business of agriculture by conducing inspections, staffing labs, or doing other onsite work. Some may have to report to agency offices, regularly or for occasional visits.
These employees are expected to follow the practices described below that prevent and slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the workplace.
Self-screening – Employees must complete a COVID-19 symptom self-screening and submit confirmation to their supervisor each day they are scheduled to work at an agency office or other jobsite. The online screening tool and instructions for can be found on the Resources for Employees webpage.
Face covering - All employees must wear face coverings for work, unless you are working alone, for instance in a vehicle by yourself. See this Labor & Industries webpage for what “working alone” means. This is a state requirement.
Face coverings can be temporarily removed when eating or drinking. Store your face covering when not in use, such as in a clean plastic bag.
Social distancing - Stay at least six feet away from coworkers and the public, whenever possible. Eat meals, perform activities, or take breaks in shifts to reduce group size and maintain distance.
Social distancing requirements apply to workstations, common areas, restrooms, entrances and exits, and potential choke points where the risk of close contact increases.
Personal hygiene - Wash hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available.
Limit touching your face, including mouth, nose, and face covering. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing and coughing, and promptly dispose of the tissue. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into a bent elbow.
Cleaning and sanitizing - Regularly clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, counter tops and doorknobs. Use disposable disinfectant wipes, if available, to wipe down surfaces before and after use.
Sick employees
Stay home if you are feeling sick. Anyone who has a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms associated with COVID-19 must stay home for 72 hours after symptoms are gone. Complete the online employee self-screening tool to check for symptoms.
WSDA has developed protocols and a contact tracing tool to respond quickly when an employee is confirmed or presumed to have COVID-19. These tools are available on the agency’s COVID-19 resources intranet page.
More guidance
Meetings and travel – Keep non-essential business travel to a minimum. Limit in-person meetings; go virtual as much as possible. Use Skype, WebEx, conference calls or other secure technology for meetings and collaboration.
Feeling stressed? – The state Employee Assistance Program provides lots of resources to address effects on emotional and mental health and well-being of state employees and their families. Along with resources and links, EAP offers live and recorded webinars on self-care and other topics.
Stay informed – Again, the circumstances and the guidance around COVID-19 will likely keep evolving and changing. Keep up with the latest by following WSDA communication tools, such as this Insider blog, the weekly Connect e-bulletin, and the agency’s intranet.
Pay attention to email messages from the Director’s Office, Human Resources, and your division or program leaders. For the most up-to-date information on Washington State’s response, check coronavirus.wa.gov.
Ultimately, it is up to all of us individually, pulling together, to stop the spread of this deadly virus. We are all in this together – doing our part to keep ourselves, coworkers, customers, families and communities safe.
In summary: Since the COVID-19 pandemic upended much of our normal daily routines, WSDA has adapted to ever changing circumstances. Months into this, what do our work lives look like, and what can we expect going forward? And what is expected of us? This blog post presents the latest guidance for WSDA employees.
