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The ADVANCE, June 9, 2021 /Page 10A
June Is...
Pandemic-inspired practices
that might be worth keeping
The rollout of CO-
VID-19 vaccines that
began in late 2020 has
allowed many areas
of the world to gradu
ally emerge from the
pandemic. That's good
news for business own
ers, many of whom were
forced to make changes
they never could have
imagined making as re
cently as February 2020.
The relationship
between businesses and
their customers requires
careful consideration
on the part of business
owners. Business owners want to provide the
best possible experience for their customers,
and that's worth noting as the world emerges
from the pandemic. Though billions of people
across the globe would love to simply return to
how things were in late 2019, the United States
Chamber of Commerce notes that things in the
business world likely won't go back to exactly
how they were pre-COVID. That likelihood
means it could benefit business owners to rec
ognize practices instituted during the pandemic
that could have staying power in the years ahead.
• Sanitation practices: The U.S. COC notes
that strict sanitation protocols put in place dur
ing the pandemic could be something consum
ers demand in the future. The COVID-19 virus
opened many consumers' eyes to how quickly
potentially dangerous viruses and germs can
spread, so business owners should expect to keep
protocols designed to prevent the spread of ill
ness in place even after the pandemic has ended.
Measures that might be part of the new normal
include making hand sanitizer readily available
to customers and staff
and keeping customers
informed about daily
sanitation practices.
• Curbside pickup: The
convenience of curbside
pickup is something
consumers likely won't
want to sacrifice even
after the pandemic has
ended. Businesses might
not need to offer the
same rapid turnaround
for their curbside pickup
services once in-store
shopping picks up. But
offering curbside pickup
may attract customers
who like it for its convenience as well is its safety.
• Takeout: The restaurant business was hit
especially hard during the pandemic. A report
from the National Restaurant Association esti
mated that, in 2020, restaurant and food-service
sales were $240 billion below pre-pandemic
forecasts. The group also noted that more than
110,000 eating and drinking establishments
closed, either temporarily or permanently, in
2020. Those that were able to remain open relied
heavily on takeout orders in order to do so. Con
sumers who grew accustomed to getting takeout
from their favorite restaurants may want to con
tinue doing so well into the future. Continuing
to offer that option, even after capacity restric
tions are lifted, is a good way to reward custom
ers who prefer takeout, and it's also a great way
to generate extra revenue.
The world is slowly emerging from the CO-
VID-19 pandemic. Businesses that adjusted
their offerings during the last year-plus may ben
efit by continuing to offer a more versatile array
of services even after the pandemic has ended.
It could benefit business owners to recognize prac
tices instituted during the pandemic that could have
staying power in the years ahead.
Keeping employees
safe in the workplace
The COVID-19 pandemic
has taught the world many things,
including the need to prioritize
public health. Protecting those
you rely on ensures they'll be
there when you need assistance.
Business owners must priori
tize the health and safety of their
employees. Data from the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics indi
cates that 5,333 fatal work injuries
occurred in 2019, which marked
a 2 percent increase over 2018.
The most common causes of
workplace injuries include over
exertion and bodily reaction, falls,
slips, and trips. When implement
ing safety precautions comes with
a high price tag or is met with
resistance by workers, it is up to
business owners to dig deep and
put protection over profit. Vari
ous strategies can help business
owners as they navigate a post
pandemic landscape that may re
quire a new approach to employee
safety.
• Recognize the threat of po
tential safety issues. Accidents
will happen regardless of how
much business owners try to pre
vent them. But prevention efforts
still greatly reduce the risk of ac
cident and injury. Make a list of
more common dangers (falls or
injuries from equipment) and
less common ones (fires or crimi
nal perpetrators). Once the list is
compiled, develop a plan to re
duce the risk of accidents on both
lists.
• Perform risk assessments.
Conduct a risk assessment on
your own or hire a third party to
review the business and make rec
ommendations. Note potential
hazards and what must be done to
remedy them promptly.
• Create a custom health and
safety policy. Make a safety plan
a key part of the employee hand
book. Employees should be well
versed in existing and newly ad
opted safety protocols and what's
expected of them in case of emer
gency.
• Be mindful of requirements.
The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration's OSH Act
includes statutory requirements.
Some of these include providing
OSHA training, keeping records
of work-related illnesses and ac
cidents and providing personal
protective equipment. Properly
maintaining tools and equipment
is another requirement.
• Utilize safety equipment
and label hazards. Anti-slip mats
on floors, properly locked cabi
nets for combustibles and other
chemicals, warning signs and la
beling in hazardous zones, and
guards or kill switches on heavy
machinery can greatly reduce the
risk of employee injury.
• Provide safety training. Em
ployees won't know how to do
their jobs safely without training.
Routinely assess employees to
ensure compliance and install a
reward system to commend those
who make safety a priority.
• Perform safety drills. Ensure
employees know how to react
quickly in emergency situations
by routinely going over protocols,
including emergency evacuation
drills. Consult with law enforce
ment professionals if guidance is
needed.
Safety should be a goal for
any business owner. Providing re
sources, maintaining equipment,
conducting safety assessments,
and educating employees can
make a real difference in reducing
injuries.
Did you know?
Business owners preparing to fully reopen have
much to look forward to in the months ahead. A
rapidly growing population of fully vaccinated poten
tial customers looking to get out of the house should
benefit business owners' bottom lines, and the work
to prepare a business and keep it safe might have
gotten a little easier as well. In April, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged that
the constant cleaning of surfaces and chairs is largely
unnecessary. As scientists have learned more about
the COVID-19 virus, they've learned that airborne
transmission of the virus is much more likely than trans
mission of the virus through surfaces. Though it's still
best to routinely clean high-touch surfaces like door
knobs and card machines, and restaurants must still
adhere to normal cleaning procedures so customers
can enjoy safe, clean dining experiences, going all-
out to clean and disinfect other surfaces throughout
a business several times per day is likely unnecessary.
GASTRO
INTESTINAL
ENDOSCOPY
The Endoscopy Center of
Southeast Georgia
Ronnie R. Smith, MD
Member of American Society
for Gastrointestinal
Endoscopy
James H. Barber, Jr., MD
A Certified Ambulatory
Surgery Center specializing in
G-l endoscopy. We are
"focused" on the prevention
of colorectal cancer and the
early diagnosis and
management of diseases of
the esophagus, stomach,
intestines and colon. 200
Maple Drive, Vidalia, GA.
912-538-TEST (8378).
GA Permit #138-082.
PODIATRY
Wiggins Foot and Ankle
Associates, P.C.
G. Mark Wiggins, D.P.M., Board
Certified; foot, reconstructive
rear foot and ankle surgery.
Available 5 days a week. Office
hours 8:30 -5:00 Mon. - Fri. 205
Arlington Drive, Vidalia, GA.
537-2559.
PREVENTIVE
MEDICINE
Ronnie R. Smith, MD and
James H. Barber, Jr., MD
Board certified in Internal
Medicine and "focused" on the
Prevention of Heart Attack ,
Stroke, Colorectal Cancer,
Osteoporosis and other health-
altering, life-threatening
diseases. For "State-Of-The-
Art" disease prevention and
early detection services, contact
us at 538-TEST (538-8378).
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