Business Continuity Plan for… Creating Healing Spaces

The health and wellbeing of our employees, their family members and our ecosystem partners is paramount to us at Shree Designs.

In this unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19, it is even more critical to adhere to strict guidelines for the safety and health of all of us. The guidelines that follow are based on recommended infection prevention and industrial hygiene practices.

These guidelines define the precautions to be taken before and after the restart of our operations post the COVID-19 lockdown. All precautionary measures mentioned in the guidelines are to be followed strictly so that everyone working at or visiting our office and sites stays healthy and safe.

Guidelines issued by the local government or civic authorities must necessarily be followed and will take precedence over the guidelines mentioned in this policy.

A special advisory at this juncture:

Employees are requested to avoid participating in large gatherings and visiting crowded, public places even in their personal time so that they can stay safe and healthy and ensure the same for their family, friends and colleagues.

Scope

These guidelines are applicable at our Offices, Project and Service sites

These guidelines are applicable to people working at or visiting any of our sites – all employees, trainees and consultants, Service Providers including Contractors, Transporters, their sub-contractors and their employees, Vendors and their employees working at our sites and any other visitors to our sites, including customers.

Purpose

This SOP is further to GOI (MHA) order Dt 15th Apr 2020, wherein they have allowed start of construction activities w.e.f. 20th Apr 2020, under the guidelines issued by MHFW.

The purpose of this Implementation Plan for Standard Operating procedure (SOP) to provide guidance to manage risks arising out of COVID-19 while restarting the work at Projects post lock down.

The recommendations are advisory in nature, information provided below is intended to assist in providing a safe and healthy workplace post COVID -19 lockdown.

Scope of this plan includes Workmen Camps, Offices Premises, Working Sites, Yards, Plants, Plant & Machinery Equipment and Sub-contractor works associated directly and indirectly, visitors and any other activities which are not listed but part of Project.

Precautions

Covid-19 Precautions

Travel Advisory

As far as possible usage of public transport must be avoided to commute to and from work.
Employees are requested to use their own vehicle for this purpose, as far as possible.
In case of travel by taxi, a maximum of three people should travel in a single taxi (including the driver) or a maximum of two people in an auto-rickshaw (including the driver). During commute, it is mandated to practice the rule of social distancing.
All individuals who need to enter the company’s premises must wear their face masks (preferably a double-layer, 100% cotton cloth mask) before they leave their residence and continue to wear the same until their arrival.
Employees can be allowed to Work from Home, if they have adequate computer hardware and software to work from home.
Only person(s) wearing a face mask shall be permitted to enter the main gate of project sites. Preferably, a double-layer 100% cotton cloth mask should be worn. If the same are unavailable, any other mask that covers the face and mouth must be used.
It is advisable to avoid inviting visitors or suppliers inside site premises, as far as possible, up to 15 days after the end of the lockdown period. Communication about the same should be done by the respective contractors and suppliers.
It is the responsibility of the concerned person who has called for meeting to confirm on mail if the prospective visitor is healthy and has not recently visited or come in contact with a Covid19 positive person. Critical visits would be allowed subject to the employee’s confirmation who has scheduled the visit. Visitors will also be required follow social distancing norms and use face masks during their visit.

Work at Office

Practice the Namaste greeting and avoid handshakes and social embraces of any kind.
Changes must be made to the working methodology, in order to achieve social distancing (at least 1 meter or 3.5 ft between two individuals) while indoors (inside office premises). This will help to reduce the density of individuals at workplace.
For employees whose work is primarily indoors and desk-based (offices and retail outlets), it is critical to design a work schedule where people, whose roles permit them to work from home, can come to work on alternate days so that social distancing norms can be maintained.
If employees or their family members are expected to be in isolation / home quarantine, then they must declare the same and should not be reporting for work unless and until they have a fitness certificate from the Medical officer.
It is advisable that as far as possible, individuals use staircases instead of elevators. In case, individuals use elevators, social distancing norms must be followed
Hand sanitizing facility shall be provided near all entry point and people will be reminded to sanitize their hands before entering the premises. Hand sanitizers shall be kept at conspicuous places at workplaces and sites
All employees must be trained in respiratory and cleanliness etiquette (coughing or sneezing within one’s elbow, frequent washing of hands with soap, etc.). Hand sanitizers shall be kept at conspicuous places at workplaces, site
Social distancing should be strictly followed at all times, especially during toolbox talks, work distribution meetings and any other on-the-job group activities.
Meetings are to be avoided as far as possible. Instead, leverage technology and digital tools such as MS Teams to collaborate with colleagues.
As far as possible, employees in offices are to carry their own home-cooked food and take lunch at their own desk / location to comply with social distancing and minimize the chances of contact with surfaces that have not been sanitized daily. Alternately the dining space could be used in 2 shifts – 12:45 to 1:15 and 1:15 to 1:45 during lunch time.
Avoid use of microwave oven.
If possible do not allow tiffin from outside food providing vendors.
Proper distance to be maintained between two employees. (No one facing each other, Sit in alternate and zigzag seats while having breakfast, lunch)
The designated bins with yellow-colored Bio-medical Waste Bags would need to be used and disposed of responsibly.

Work at Construction Site

Construction Workers

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Guidelines for Construction Sites for COVID-19 Outbreak – by NAREDCO

In response to COVID-19 outbreak, NAREDCO, under the guidance of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Govt. of India, has defined the following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines to ensure safety of construction site workers. In addition to trained Supervisor(s), a Site Safety Representative (SSR) will be deployed at every site, to ensure the safety guideline is followed. Necessary trainings will be given in advance to Supervisors and SSRs, so that they can train the workers further.

General Guidelines applicable to all

All Protocol including Emergency Response will be laid out. Identity Card will be issued to everyone entering site area. Periodic tailgate sessions will be arranged to review site protocols in view of highly dynamic scenario ensuring social distancing norms. During these sessions, everyone including workers will be informed about the safety guidelines and important updates. Necessary arrangements for announcements shall be made at every site.
Mandatory Thermal Scanning of everyone entering and exiting a construction site will be done for fever with thermal scanners. If anyone leaves and re-enters the site during the shift, re-screening of the individual will be done prior to re-entry into the work site.
Provision for hand wash & sanitizer (touch free recommended) will be made at all entry and exit points and common areas (including at distant locations like higher floors). Everyone will be required to wash & sanitize his/her hands before entering the site. Same procedure to be followed after exiting the premise. Sufficient quantities of all the items should be available at the site.
Everyone entering site area should mandatorily wear face mask. Hand gloves should be used by the workers who are handling material coming from outside. Re-usable equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and should not be shared with others.
There will be strict ban on Gutka, Tambaku, Paan etc. on site and spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
Food should be consumed at designated areas only ensuring social distancing.
Areas with a probability of bigger gathering, for eg. cleaning area, toilets etc. should be identified and all arrangements should be made to ensure social distancing.
Entire construction site including site office, labour camp, canteens, pathways, toilets, entry / exit gates will be disinfected on daily basis. Housekeeping team should be provided with necessary equipment.
There will be total ban on non-essential visitors at sites (including from Head office staff, consultants etc.).
Hospital/clinics in the nearby area, which are authorized to treat COVID-19 patients, should be identified and list should be available at Site all the time.
A doctor will be present periodically (at least once a week) at site on allotted time for any medical assistance.
Appropriate signage at construction site spelling out safety practices in the language which is understood by all.
For any confusion, clarification and update, everyone should approach designated authority or rely on authentic source. Do not believe in rumours and don’t spread them.

Safety & Hygiene

Safety & Hygiene Products

Guidelines for workmen

On day 0, before resuming the work on sites post lockdown period, mandatory medical check-up will be arranged for all workers. The workers coming from outside should observe home-quarantine for at least 14 days as per the guidelines issued by MoHFW. Only medically fit workers will be deployed at site and medical assistance will be arranged for unfit workers. Medical check-up camp should be arranged every month.
A unique photo identity card with serial number will be issued to all the workers and their family members staying at site. Proper record of all these workers will be maintained. They will not be allowed to go outside site area. All the essential items will be made available to them at site only. If necessary, they can go out wearing face mask, after informing supervisor. No outside worker will be allowed to stay at site without following proper procedure and instructions.
Start time on site will be staggered to avoid congestion at the entry gates. Number of workers working at a particular time / place will be reduced by making arrangements for different shifts / areas. Accordingly, additional staff such as security guards, supervisors etc. will be deployed.
As in most cases, workers reside at the Sites, hence no travel arrangements are required for them. The workers staying outside (which are always nearby) should reach at the site either by walking or by their individual mode of transport (bicycle, two-wheeler etc.).
During attendance, training and other sessions, social distancing guidelines will be followed along with provision of no-touch attendance.
All workers may be advised to take care of their own health and look out for respiratory symptoms/fever and, if feeling unwell, should leave the workplace immediately after informing their reporting officers. They should observe home-quarantine as per the guidelines issued by MoHFW and should immediately inform the nearest health centre or call 011-23978046.
Workers should not shake hands when greeting others and while working on the site.
Mandatorily wear face masks while working on site. While not wearing masks, cover your mouth and nose with tissues if you cough/sneeze or do so in the crook of your arm at your elbow.
Avoid large gatherings or meetings. Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance from persons, especially with those having flu-like symptoms, during interaction. Not more than 2/4 persons (depending on size) should be allowed to travel in lifts or hoists. Use of staircase for climbing should be encouraged.
Workers should clean hands frequently by washing them with soap and water for at least 40 seconds. When hand washing isn’t possible, alcohol-based hand sanitizer with greater than 70% alcohol should be used
Workers should not share their belongings like food, water bottles, utensils, mobile phones etc. with others. The utensils should be washed properly post use at designated place.
Post work, workers should change their clothes before leaving the site and clothing should not be shook out.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Guidelines - Dos and Donts

Guidelines for tools and machinery

At all point of time, easy access to parking should be ensured since public transit is limited.
All construction material arriving at site should be left idle for 3 days before use to ensure safe usage.
All vehicles and machinery entering the premise should be disinfected by spray mandatorily.
Non-touch garbage bins with biodegradable garbage bag should be installed for waste collection at all common access areas. Proper disposal of garbage bags along with daily cleaning and sanitization of bins should be ensured.
Wipe down interiors and door handle of machines or construction vehicles, the handles of equipment and tools that are shared, with disinfectant prior to using.