Planning To Reopen - Phase 3, Close Contact Personal Services, Part 2

7/27/2020 (Permalink)

As we continue to execute Phase 3 of Governor Charlie Baker's administration's plan to reopen the state of Massachusetts for business it is paramount that we remain steadfast in our resolve to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 when and wherever possible. The following outlines the workplace safety standards pertaining to The following workplace specific safety standards are organized around four distinct categories covering staffing and operations, and cleaning and disinfecting for Close Contact Personal Services Businesses.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Barber Shops and Hair Salons, originally authorized to open in Phase 1 of the Re-Opening Plan, are now subject to these workplace safety standards for Close Contact Personal Services. Also, Personal Trainers have their own category of guidelines to follow.

Close Contact Personal Services are defined as any personal service typically delivered through close physical contact with the customer, including but not limited to:

1. hair salons and barber shops; as permitted to open in Phase 1 of the Re-Opening Plan 
2. hair removal services; including laser services, depilatory salons, waxing services, threading, and electrolysis services 
3. massage, body treatments, eastern treatment, energy therapies and other body work therapies
4. skin care services; including peels, facials, serums, Botox and filler 
5. nail care services; including nail salons
6. other hair services; including hair replacement services, scalp treating services 
7. makeup salons
8. makeup application services
9. tanning salons; including other businesses that provide spray tanning and tanning beds;
10. tattoo, piercing, and body art services Indoor and outdoor event spaces

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

These standards are minimum requirements only and are not exclusive or exhaustive. The public health data for disease prevention upon which these guidelines are based can and does change frequently, it is the responsibility of each Close Contact Personal Service Business owner to stay abreast of any updates to these requirements.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

Staffing and Operations

It is the responsibility of approved close contact personal services business owners and staff to adhere to the following at all times:

1. Provide training to workers on up-to-date safety information and precautions including hygiene and other measures aimed at reducing disease transmission, including:
   1. Social distancing, hand-washing, proper use of face coverings
   2. Self-screening at home, including temperature and symptom checks
   3. Reinforcing that staff should not come to work if sick
   4. When to seek medical attention if symptoms become severe
   5. Which underlying health conditions may make individuals more susceptible to contracting and suffering from a severe case of the virus
2. Facilities must screen workers at each shift by ensuring the following:
   1. Worker is not experiencing any symptoms such as fever (100.0 and above) or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle/body aches, runny nose/congestion, new loss of taste or smell, or nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
   2. Worker has not had “close contact” with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. “Close contact” means living in the same household as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, caring for a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, being within 6 feet of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more, or coming in direct contact with secretions (e.g., sharing utensils, being coughed on) from a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, while that person was symptomatic
   3. Worker has not been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by their doctor or a local public health official
   4. Workers who fail to meet the above criteria must be sent home
3. Adjust workplace hours and shifts (working teams with different schedules or staggered arrival / departure) to minimize contact across workers and reduce congestion
4. Require customers to make an appointment in advance to receive service
5. Close waiting areas and ask customers to wait outside or in cars until it is time for their appointment
6. Maintain a log of workers and customers to support potential contact tracing (name, date, time, contact information)
7. Remove non-essential amenities (e.g., magazines, customer-facing water or coffee, coat rooms, etc.)
8. Workers may not appear for work if feeling ill
9. Workers who are who are at high risk from COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control should be encouraged to stay home or should have work assignments shifted to reduce contact with customers and co-workers 
10. Workers are strongly encouraged to self-identify symptoms or any close contact to a known or suspected COVID-19 case to the employer 4
11. Encourage workers who test positive for COVID-19 to disclose to the workplace employer for purposes of cleaning / disinfecting and contact tracing.
12. If the employer is notified of a positive case at the workplace, the employer shall notify the local Board of Health (LBOH) in the city or town where the workplace is located and assist the LBOH as reasonably requested to advise likely contacts to isolate and self-quarantine. Testing of other workers may be recommended consistent with guidance and / or at the request of the LBOH
13. Post notice to workers and customers of important health information and relevant safety measures as outlined in the Commonwealth’s Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplace
14. Businesses should maintain operating hours that allow for on-going off-hour sanitation and cleaning
15. Limit visitors and service providers on site; shipping and deliveries should be completed in designated areas
16. Limit employee movement to discrete work zones to minimize overlap where possible 

Cleaning and Disinfecting 

It is the responsibility of approved close contact personal services business owners and staff to adhere to the following at all times:

1. Clean commonly touched surfaces in restrooms (e.g., toilet seats, doorknobs, stall handles, sinks, paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers) frequently and in accordance with CDC guidelines
2. Conduct frequent cleaning and disinfection of site (at least daily, and more frequently if feasible)
3. Keep cleaning logs that include date, time, and scope of cleaning
4. Conduct frequent disinfecting of heavily transited areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, handrails, headrests, armrests, etc.)
5. In the event of a positive case of a worker, patron or vendor shut down site and wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting of the workplace in accordance with current CDC guidelines
6. Disinfect or replace tools, implements and surfaces between customers (e.g., tables, finger bowls, chairs and headrests, spatulas, clippers, spacers, styling tools)
7. If tools cannot be disinfected (i.e., porous tools such as nail files, buffers, drill bits, etc.), they must be discarded after use
8. Disinfect chair, table, and/or workstation between customers or use disposable plastic coverings for each customer, observing contact time on label for disinfectant to work properly
9. Launder all linens, towel drapes and smocks in hot soapy water and dry completely regularly and between each use
10. Open windows and doors to increase airflow where possible

Additional Link;

Close Contact Personal Care Business MA COVID-19 Checklist

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA and OSHA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for reopening. Also, we at SERVPRO of Framingham know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Framingham are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal, everyday cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Framingham today for a free consultation - (508) 370-4400.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Framingham want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!