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The employer must legally take all necessary measures to protect the health of his workers. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) provides three specific documents related to Covid-19:
Among other things, it states that the minimum distance between two people at the workplace must be at least 2m. If contact is required, it must be less than 15 minutes. The workplace must be designed to limit contact. Solutions are proposed among which floor marking, distance from offices, 1 customer per 10m² of sales area, spacing of breaks…
Optimal hygiene conditions are ensured by the permanent availability of soap and disposable towels. The common areas (toilets, break areas…) are cleaned very regularly. The cleaning volume will probably have to be increased and the dedicated staff must be informed about protective measures. Specific equipment (gloves, masks, goggles…) is not necessary, but can be used if the workers find a justification.
Vulnerable people (over 65 years of age, high blood pressure, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, immunosuppressive diseases or treatments, cardiovascular diseases and cancers) should preferably remain teleworking. In case of respiratory symptoms, with or without fever, the worker should stay at home and consult.
In the checklists, if the answer to the questions is “No”, the measures described should be implemented immediately. And “if it is objectively impossible to put the necessary measures in place, the activity must be interrupted, either totally or partially”, says SECO.
