Middough’s COVID-19 Protocol

As a company committed to safety, Middough has invested countless hours in planning for safe work practices both in our offices and on site to protect our workers and our clients. The efforts we have made have included reviewing government recommendations, health information, and informing our staff to follow protocols to protect themselves, their loved ones, fellow staff and our clients. We are fully embracing the changes necessary to continue to build upon Middough’s culture of being Safe By Choice.

Communicating Safety

Middough is continually providing updates from the CDC and WHO on state and local conditions. This allows us to be prepared for changes to any condition or situation to take the best safety measures.

Training

Our employees continually receive various levels of training on the controls, procedures, protocols and safety requirements being used to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is done through online training, emails and video conferences, and quizzes on these steps.

Workplace Readiness

Middough has taken several preparatory measures to ensure our offices are safe to work.

  • All office common areas will be deep cleaned before the offices are re-opened for full-time use.
  • Our building landlords have assured that all ventilation systems are operating properly.
  • Drinking water systems have been confirmed to be flushed if facilities were dormant.
  • Sanitizing stations have been added.
  • Social distancing measures have been analyzed and Middough has adjusted seating layouts where necessary.  Individual offices have floor plans identifying signage, seating layouts, conference room revisions, and the establishment of an isolation room.
  • Infrared temperature scanners have been added at entrances.
  • Individual office protocols have been developed, publicized, and will be trained during phases of re-occupancy.
  • Safety protocol signage has been installed throughout the building.

THREE-POINT PLAN

In the event of a potential illness, we have outlined a three-point plan for safety of all employees.

1. Have employees not feeling well leave the facility or do not report for work.

  • Facilities are to be cleaned and sanitized if a worker reported an illness while in the office.
  • Masks and gloves are to be worn at all times while cleaning.
  • Person cleaning washes hands thoroughly for 20 seconds using soap and water.

2. Employee with one or more COVID-19 symptoms leaves the facility, does not report to work, or uses Middough’s designated Isolation room.

  • Office cleaning contractor is equipped for cleaning and sanitizing stations following CDC guidelines for length of time to wait before cleaning.
  • Common areas are to be immediately sanitized and conference rooms visited are to be closed until sanitized and proper waiting time to reopen based on health recommendations. Restrooms visited by employee with symptoms also to be closed for thorough sanitizing.

3. Employee tests positive for COVID-19, steps 1 and 2 may have already been completed and all employees who have had close contact have left the facility and been asked to work from home.

  • Remediation specialist to come in and sanitize all building common areas visited by employee with positive test, including elevators and restrooms. All employees may be sent home in this event.
  • Note: Remediation specialist in some cases may be the same as office cleaning contractor. CDC guidelines followed for the cleaning and remediation of the facility, including required PPE.

Health Information

Middough has asked employees and visitors to stay home if they have the following symptoms:

  • A temperature over 100.4
  • Cough
  • Unusual shortness of breath
  • Flu-like symptoms

Middough has installed self-scanning, no-touch temperature checking equipment at employee temperatures. Recorded temperature information will be kept confidential by the Human Resources department and employees may utilize these scanning devices multiple times a day for self-checks.

All information about an employee’s health diagnosis or condition is kept strictly confidential.

  • If an employee becomes sick at the office with COVID-19 virus symptoms, they are required to return to their home or medical facility and to follow state and locally required government dictated healthcare protocol.
  • Middough has established a temporary isolation room location for people who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or feeling ill and unable to drive to wait while arrangements are being made for transportation. 
  • If an employee contracts the COVID-19 virus or exhibits symptoms of such, employees will work with our Human Resources representative in the “contact tracing” process relating to personnel with whom the sick employee has been engaged.

 

  • If an employee is confirmed sick from the COVID-19 virus, the entire office may be deep cleaned and disinfected. This will be decided by the general manager from the results of contact tracing and the seriousness of the exposure.
  • In cases of returning to work after sickness. The decision to stop home isolation should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and state and local health departments. When you get this clearance the decision to return to work will be made with you and Middough Human Resources and your General Manager.
  • Middough is following guidance provided by the Society for Human Resources Management, the Department of Labor, FFCRA, and the EEOC. For the foreseeable future, Middough will maintain a flexible leave policy that permits eligible employees to stay home  to care for themselves, a sick family member, or to care for children due to school and  childcare closures as a result of COVID-19.

PPE

Middough endeavors to supply employees with necessary PPE. All employees will be required to wear protective face coverings while on, or traveling into, Middough or client properties, facilities or vehicles, subject to any applicable, documented exceptions compliant with applicable orders.

Returning to the Office

Employees are required to complete a “COVID-19 Self Certification to Return to Office Work” form. This self-certification will be required only once upon return to the office unless the employee contracts COVID-19 and/or a quarantine is required.

Employees and visitors will be required to complete a daily health questionnaire to self-certify that within the past 14 days they have not:

  • had any symptoms of COVID-19;
  • had close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19; and
  • traveled to a COVID-19 “hot spot.”

Elevator occupancy is restricted to the landlord posted requirement. In absence of a landlord requirement, no more than two (2) people shall occupy it at a time.

Visitors, Vendors and Contractors

Client or vendor meetings held in Middough offices are permitted on a limited, business-critical basis only. General Managers must pre-approve on-site meetings and regularly scheduled supplier access.


All visitors must:

  • Complete the “Visitor Pre-access Survey” and comply with Middough office protocol. 
  • Be equipped with their own PPE or will not be granted access without it.
  • Be escorted by a Middough employee.


Middough escorts are required and responsible for:

  • Assuring that the “Visitor Pre-access Survey” is completed and signed by the visitor and placed in safekeeping at the Middough lobby area “front desk” per local office protocol.
  • Communicating with and keeping the visitor behavior in compliance with Middough protocol.

Safe Protocols for Deliveries

  • Couriers making deliveries such as the US Postal Service, FedEx, or UPS overnight shippers will drop materials in the designated location.  Signatures will no longer be required.
  • Person(s) within each office will be assigned to periodically check for drop-off deliveries.
  • All mail, boxes, or other container materials delivered will be opened, sorted and redelivered within the office by an employee wearing PPE, including gloves.

Distancing and Occupancy in Office Areas

  • Employees and visitors are to maintain social distancing of six (6) feet and zero contact.
  • Lobby seating shall be spaced according to safe distancing requirements. 

Restrooms

  • No more than three (3) people to a restroom at one time.
  • Visual signage applied by restrooms for hearing impaired employees for managing restroom occupancy.


Conference Rooms

  • Virtual meetings conducted wherever possible.
  • Occupancy of meeting rooms are altered t maintain six (6) feet of distance.
  • Signage displayed by conference rooms with recommended occupancy.


Private Rooms and Isolation Rooms

  • Conference rooms to be cleaned at night including disinfecting surfaces.
  • Rooms designated for special purposes such as mother’s rooms, or project confidentiality, shall be reviewed before use for cleanliness and wiped down by the employee user with disinfectant.
  • After use, the room and surfaces shall be restored to a clean state and disinfected by the user.
  • The user will notify the local responsible party after completing use so that it can be cleaned later by the cleaning service.
  • The Isolation room can also be used when that person is waiting for transportation home or to   medical facility. The Isolation room should be near a main exit of the building accessible to emergency responders, should be equipped with a telephone and should have a door.

Business and Personal Travel

  • Business travel is done on a voluntary basis. Simply, any employee can decide whether they travel for business.
  • Business essential air travel is permitted on a case by case basis. 
  • Employees are expected to follow safety protocols when traveling including: Wearing Masks, Frequent Hand washing, Social distancing, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
  • During this pandemic period, employees are discouraged from unnecessary business and personal travel. Those who travel out of the country, or to an out of state location that is known to currently be a COVID-19 hotspot shall be required to self-quarantine for fourteen (14) days prior to return to the office. During the self-quarantine period, employees shall be afforded the ability to work at home. 
  • During a quarantine, employee will remain at home and self-monitor for COVID – 19 symptoms. 
  • Middough will reimburse for COVID – 19 testing at an urgent care center of choice in the following cases: after business travel when the employee has symptoms; in the 5 to 10-day window after business travel or known exposure; and/or when requested by medical professional after business travel.