Union leaders from manufacturing and healthcare are calling on General Electric (GE) to use its highly-skilled workforce and unused manufacturing capacity to make much needed ventilators in-house to help address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employers should establish procedures to screen customers before dispatch. Customers who may report COVID-19 symptoms, can be rescheduled. If work is required inside the home, confirm at the door that no members of the household are ill or in quarantine. Attempt to troubleshoot the problem over the phone before you arrive to minimize your time in the home.
Employers should establish policies so that members can maintain appropriate physical/social distance (six feet or more) with customers to reduce risk of transmission. Employers should enable members to wash their hands frequently, and as needed. Diligent hand hygiene should be practiced throughout the work shift. Employers should provide EPA-approved microbial disinfectants.
Due to the shortages of N95 respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has drastically downgraded their recommendations for the use of respirators and PPE and is allowing for extended and reuse of N95 respirators. Following is a summary of the current guidance from the CDC/NIOSH.
This guidance applies to all CWA members who work as first responders, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, and emergency management officials, who anticipate close contact with persons with confirmed or possible COVID-19 in the course of their work.
