COVID-19 PLAN (Archive)

Reduce the transmission of the coronavirus and protect the health, safety, and welfare of each other both in the workplace and at home.

#1 - Check For COVID-19 Symptoms Daily.

If Sick: Stay Home, Contact Your Supervisor, and Get Tested. Get a COVID-19 vaccination to help keep you from getting COVID-19.

If you (or someone you are in direct contact with) experience symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and report this to your supervisor/lead, and schedule a COVID-19 diagnostic test.

We recommend getting the COVID-19 test anytime you need assurance of your status.

Getting tested periodically (regardless of symptoms) is recommended.

Click here for a demo video of the diagnostic test being performed.

We will provide instructions for self-quarantine in order to protect any potential spread to our team.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fever (Check your body temperature multiple times daily)

• Chills

• Muscle pain

• Sore throat

• New loss of taste or smell

This list is not all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Use this symptom self-checker to verify your need for testing. People with pre-existing conditions may experience trouble breathing. If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact your Primary Care Physician, or the COVID-19 hotlines above.

If you show any of the Emergency Warning Signs get medical attention immediately.

Emergency warning signs include, but are not limited to:

• trouble breathing

• persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• new confusion or inability to arouse

• bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Early registration for the vaccine can be found here: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine

List of Vaccine Locations (to call directly for appointments): Download PDF Here

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

#2 - Wear a Mask.

Masks (or cloth face coverings) are to be used in combination with 6-foot social distancing rules at all times when indoors. The only exception is when you are eating, drinking, or in an approved area where you are completely alone/isolated. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. Everyone should wear a mask or cloth face cover both at work and when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.

• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.

• Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.

• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

While wearing a mask does not fully protect the wearer from the risk of getting infected, it does a lot to prevent the risk that the wearer spreads the virus to other people.

Any mask with a valve requires the wearer of the mask to cough or sneeze into their elbow (or cover the valve to limit projection of small respiratory droplets). Pay attention to the masks being worn.  If mask supply runs short, you can create your own DIY face covering as per CDC. Notify the team of any supply needs for masks and any other needed PPE.

#3 - Practice Social Distancing.

Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social or physical distancing:

• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people

• Do not gather in groups

• Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings

In addition to everyday steps to prevent COVID-19, keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to this virus and slowing its spread locally and across the country and world.

Limit close contact with others outside your household in indoor and outdoor spaces. Since people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away from others when possible, even if you—or they—have no symptoms. Social distancing is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

#4 - Wash Your Hands Often.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

#5 - Avoid Close Contact with People Who Are Sick.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members. Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.

• Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.

• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.

• Do not gather in groups.

• Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.

• Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

#6 - Cough and Sneeze Into Your Elbow.

• If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

• Throw used tissues in the trash.

• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

#7 - Clean and Disinfect.

This applies to work and home.

• Follow the Plant Sanitization Checklist.

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

• If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

• Then, use a household disinfectant. The most common EPA-registered household disinfectantsexternal icon will work.

• Wash your clothes after each shift.

• Spray your boots/safety shoes with Lysol or another disinfectant spray when entering your home.

And horizontal surfaces with disinfectant sprays and/or wipes at the beginning and end of every shift. If you need these items for your plant, please let your supervisor/lead know.

#8 - Communicate and Stay Informed.

• Check in with your Lead Plant Operator (LPO) on a daily basis even if you aren’t on shift about your health and the health of your family.

• Check in with your co-workers frequently to check on their (and their family’s) well-being.

• Check Deputy multiple times throughout your day. The Deputy app (and website) is a critical tool for team communication. Keep this app at the fore-front of your device(s) and read all messaging, then click “CONFIRM” on messages that request confirmation.

• Install the COVID Alert NJ App and activate Exposure Alerts. Any alerts received should be communicated with your supervisor immediately.

• If you feel sick or start to show symptoms (as stated above) contact your supervisor(s) immediately.

• If you are scheduled for shift and a violation against the guidelines occurs, you are required to report this. 

• Attend or Watch all Team “Stand-Up Zoom Meetings are daily at 16:00. If you cannot attend, watch the recording afterwords, posted on Deputy news feed after meeting.

  Join Zoom Meeting Here: https://zoom.us/j/372279028

  Meeting ID: 372 279 028

• Stay informed with the latest information from reliable sources. Routinely update yourself using information sources based on scientific fact rather than opinion-based news outlets. For example, CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Homepage.

#9 - Follow all Federal, State, and Local Government Regulations.

Keep your essential letters with you at all times.

Follow any state laws, stay-at-home orders, restrictions on social gatherings, etc. Since we are considered essential workers our stay-at-home orders do not apply when working.

In the event of any conflict between various policies, or when you have any questions as to what policies you need to follow, contact your management for clarification.

#10 - Protect Your Household.

Develop a household plan if you or someone in your family gets sick. Please reference the following link to guide you through creating a household plan for yourself and your family’s well-being.

Get Your Household Ready For The Coronavirus - CDC

#11 - Be Prepared.

• Pack all supplies you may need for your shift. Think about phone chargers, PPE, clothing, or anything else needed. You should have the essential items like hand sanitizer, PPE, food, drinks, etc on hand at all times. Think of everything you may need.

• Be ready to work a double if needed.

#12 - Recognize Stress and Know Methods for Coping.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:

• Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones

• Changes in sleep or eating patterns

• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

• Worsening of chronic health problems

• Worsening of mental health conditions

• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Read More on Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

#13 - Strengthen Your Immune System.

Your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Following general good-health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward naturally keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies such as these:

• Get adequate sleep.

• Try to minimize stress.

• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

• Exercise regularly.

• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.

• Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.

• Try to maintain a healthy weight.

• Don’t smoke.

#14 - Minimize Time Spent in Risky Environments.

The importance of time exposed to a virus is relevant for all infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The more time spent in a risky environment, the more virus you breathe in, and the more it can build up to establish infection.

On occasions where we (or the people we share our home with) must enter a risky environment, we will wear a mask/PPE, practice social distancing, and minimize time spent in that environment. Examples of risky environments include:

• Shared, Public Indoor Spaces

• Crowds/Gatherings

• Grocery Stores

• Restaurants and Bars

• Gyms/Fitness Centers

• Convenience or Liquor Stores

• Department Stores or Shopping Centers

• Sporting Events

• Church

• Classrooms

• Hair Salons/Barber Shops

Data is insufficient to precisely identify the duration of time that constitutes a prolonged exposure, but 15 minutes (maximum) can be used as our limit until more is understood about this exposure. Learn more about how coronavirus spreads outdoors vs. indoors.

If you attended a large gathering or a crowded indoor space for longer than 15 minutes, or have traveled to or from a “hotspot” please report this before returning to work.

#15 - Be an Advocate.

Be an advocate of these prevention practices and up-to-date information to your family, your workplace, and your social circle. Spread awareness in order to expand our prevention goals beyond our team and impact the safety of our communities.

Also, be your own advocate when it comes to your personal health. Even as we consult with medical professionals for care and treatment, we must advocate for our own well-being.