Like most companies, Golden International has had to adapt its business practices to the challenges posed by the novel coronavirus spreading across the planet in 2020.
Here we outline the measures taken by Golden International to ensure the safety of our employees, contractors and those they come into contact with.
1. Jobsite Protocol
◦ Golden International to display signage regarding Wellness Tips on all jobsites, building restrooms, canteen areas etc. where allowed.
◦ Golden International management are to ask all employees/contractors if they are at risk of being sick or carrying illness. The management are to ask the following questions:
Have you, or anyone in your family, been in contact with a person that has tested positive for COVID-19? Have you, or anyone in your family, been in contact with a person that is in the process of being tested for COVID-19? Are you having trouble breathing, have a dry cough, or have flu like symptoms?
◦ Per WHO recommendations, if any answer is “yes”, the worker is to be removed from the jobsite immediately and will not be allowed to return to the jobsite without a doctor’s letter verifying “OK to return to work” status.
◦ WHO recommends that employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately. Golden International Superintendent is to send any worker home if there are any observed symptoms of sickness.
◦ Management are instructed to prevent stigma and discrimination in the workplace. Do not make determinations of risk based on race or country of origin.
◦ No large group meetings: limit all meetings to eight people or less.
◦ No visitors are permitted to enter Golden International workplaces, including jobsites, unless fundamental to the execution of the work.
◦ Limit elevator usage when occupied with multiple people. Use stairs when possible.
2. Office Protocol
◦ Golden International may require all non-essential office staff to work remotely for all tasks that can be completed in such a manner. Please review with your immediate supervisor for specific details for your position.
◦ All non-essential visits by vendors, subcontractors, clients, etc. to the office are suspended.
◦ All external team meetings are to be rescheduled as a conference and/or video conference call.
◦ All large (greater than eight attendees) in person internal meetings are to be rescheduled as a conference and/or video conference call.
◦ Limit all person to person contact.
◦ Golden International to display signage regarding Wellness Tips throughout the office, restrooms, breakroom, etc.
◦ Perform routine environmental cleaning:
Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. Use disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use.
◦ Follow all WHO protocol.
3. COVID-19 Measures
◦ Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home and/or have been in close contact with a person with COVID-19 must stay home and notify their supervisor.
◦ If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, Golden International will inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace while maintaining confidentiality as required by law.
◦ If an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, they must stay home. Golden International will provide paid leave (without affecting PTO) for up to fourteen (14) days, the anticipated quarantine timeframe.
◦ Golden International will monitor and respond to absenteeism at the workplace. We will implement plans to continue essential business functions if we experience higher than usual absenteeism.
◦ We will cross-train personnel to perform essential functions so that the workplace is able to operate if key staff members are absent.
4. General Protocol
Golden International will actively encourage sick employees to stay home:
◦ If employees or subcontractor employees are exhibiting any of the following symptoms or behavior associated with these symptoms, they will be asked to leave the jobsite and/or office and call (or go to) the doctor:
Fever Cough Shortness of breath
◦ Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are required to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 48 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. Tylenol, cough suppressants). Employees should immediately notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
◦ Golden International will communicate with our subcontractors and temporary staffing companies about the importance of sick employees staying home and/or going to the doctor.
◦ Per WHO recommendations, employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day will be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately.
Golden International is committed to the safety of its employees, vendors, subcontractors, clients, and the general public. The above action plan is consistent with the WHO’s guidance which can be found at https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19/technical-guidance/infection-prevention-control.
Thank you for your help in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and all illnesses and your understanding and cooperation. Golden International’s leadership is committed to providing the best work environment possible for all staff and jobsites and we will continue to monitor the WHO website for updates. We will make revisions to this policy as updated information is available.
