Last update: 28th January 2022

Link to:  


START WITH READING THE PRESENTATION   which is a summary constantly updated (last update: 30 April 2021)

See also  Infodemic WHO about COVID-19

Prevention: Protect yourself and the others

PREVENTIVE BARRIER MEASURES  


1. Mask-wearing

  • Medical masks prevent spreading the virus
          In shared areas with other persons, especially if the physical distancing could not be guaranteed at some moments
     For sick persons
         Physician could also recommend to wear it when return to work after being sick
      If requested by the authorities

     *   How to put and remove medical masks

  • Filtering Face Respirators (FFR) (as N95, KN95 or FFP2) are protective
          For persons at higher risk of exposure:  

    • Medical staff (physician, nurse): when assisting in close distance

    • Potential intervention of  first aiders/responders : when assisting in close distance

    • Guard: if not possible physical barrier and has to be closer than 1-2 meters

    • Facilities making the cleaning/disinfecting

                Employees for which it is required to work at less than 1-2 meters one from another  and there is no possibility to find a  solution to                 
                        ensure  social  distance of 1-2 meters by reorganizing tasks or shifts. In this case they can wear FFR or both medical masks (to not contaminate
                        each  other).

2. Personal hygiene
  • Cough etiquette: Avoid spreading droplets when sneezing or coughing  
    • Cover mouth and nose with disposable tissue or flexed elbow.
    • Throw tissue into a closed bin immediately after use.
    • Clean hands.
  • Avoid touching your face (mouth, nose, eyes).
  • Minimize sharing objects  (wash hands & avoid touching face) .
3. Physical distancing
  • Greet without shaking hands, hugging or kissing.
  • Implement a physical distance (1-2 meters or 3-6 feet) EVERYWHERE in the site (including in meetings, when eating) and outside of work in your daily life (including transports). If impossible in a specific case, look for a solution.
  • Consider box meals to avoid people in the canteen.
  • Large gatherings are banned at Solvay.
4. Ventilation
  • Ensure good and regular ventilation with fresh air, ideally by opening the windows. Opening windows and doors will increase even more the ventilation. If several doors, it is better to open the door in diagonal with the window.
  • If you have Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), minimize recirculation and ensure a good maintenance.
  • If ventilation with fresh air via windows or mechanical ventilation cannot be properly ensured, consult for alternative solutions with Industrial Hygiene. It can include air purifiers.
  • You can objectify if ventilation is good with CO2 measurements.
  • Don't use air fans.

           *   How important is ventilation and how does it keep you safe from COVID-19? (WHO)
           *   COVID-19: Focus on ventilation and air conditioning  (Solvay)
           *   HVAC Considerations to Reduce Potential Airborne Transmission of COVID-19   (Solvay)

5. Reinforced cleaning
  • Increase cleaning with detergent and disinfectant. 
  • If someone shares material, clean materials with disinfectant before/after, between users (e.g. wipes).
  • Prevent contact with surfaces that may be contaminated with droppings.
  • Clean the workplace of a sick person after isolation.

            *  CDC recommendations ,  ECDC recommendations ,  WHO recommendations
            *   General recommendations on disinfection to different objects  (Solvay)
            *   Genetic changes to the virus do not impact the efficacy of disinfectants (US EPA)



   

   
   

     
   

    


   

SOLVAY RECOMMENDATIONS

If you develop symptoms  (fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms)              ( Poster )

  • Stay at home. Wear a surgical mask if possible, take your temperature

  • Call for medical attention
     Your personal doctor (in first instance) or the t oll free number in your country for COVID-19.   Call always BEFORE going to a healthcare institution
      Call  ISOS  i f you are a traveler or expatriate
          Share your history of travels and contacts with sick persons
      The physician will tell you if you can stay home or you need to go to the hospital
      You can also contact your Solvay  site physician  (or  Solvay Medical Referent for your Country )

  • Call your manager and inform your HR Site

If you have been in close contact with an infected person

  • Call your physician  for  medical advice and inform your manager

If you become sick at work 

  • Wear a surgical mask
  • Call your manager and/or site physician  to be adequately looked after and follow their instructions
  • Keep physical distance of 1 to 2 meters and respect cough etiquette.
  • Please rely on the usual emergency proceeding. All sites have been prepared to handle this situation.

Consult also Solvay publications:


 At the workplace

Temperature screening :   Recommendations in case you perform it

Testing: -  Synoptic table about Covid-19 tests  (Solvay)  
                   -  Usage of the rapid antigen Abbott test Panbio COVID-19

Case management & return to work :  Recommendations from the Solvay Medical network

Travel :   Solvay "Travel during Covid-19 Pandemic" wikipage

First-aid:  CPR: How to resuscitate without mouth to m outh  + video



Other useful references

Workplaces:

Surface disinfection: WHO (slide 12) How long human coronaviruses stay on surfaces

Testing: Abbott's educational guide to help understand COVID-19 testing

Mental health: WHO Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak


Follow the requirements and recommendations from:

  • Solvay Manager

  • your Country authorities and Ministry of Health


For the employees

Mental Health: (Solvay)

Ergonomics for Home Office: Ergonomic basics for setting up a mobile working (Solvay); video

Travel/holidays : COVID-19-Summer-Guidance (Solvay)





IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE OUTBREAK

Please feel free to contact:


VACCINATION

Solvay’s company doctors “highly recommend” getting vaccinated against COVID-19, as the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, the Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency and other authorities are key to fight against the pandemic, protect your health and save lives.
This is a recommendation and in the end you will need to decide. We suggest you talk to your doctor and consider the vaccination seriously.

Further information and recommendations:




General information



Context

  • New virus: SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - CoronaVirus - 2)
    ⇒ Disease : COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease - 2019)

  • There is still much that is unknown about this new virus

  • The cases were first identified and reported in people with pneumonia in Wuhan, China, in December 2019

  • It probably started in animals (bat?) but is now spreading between people

  • Areas with active community transmission/ outbreak are in evolution permanently

  • The 11th March 2020, the World Health Organization has declared it to be a Pandemic

How is it spread?

  • From one to another person:

    • As colds and flu : through droplets which are created by infected persons when we talk, cough and sneeze.

    • Aerosol transmission , particularly in indoor locations crowded and inadequately ventilated where infected persons spend long periods of time with others, cannot be ruled out.

    • People can get infected when these droplets enter the nose, eyes or mouth .

    • Transmission can occur from an infected person asymptomatic or in the presymptomatic period (prior to onset of symptoms), although transmission is likely more efficient once symptoms develop.

  • Touching contaminated objects puts the droplets onto your hands. If you touch your face the droplets can enter your nose / eyes / mouth

  • Other potential ways :

    • Other coronaviruses have been known to spread from animals

    • Some other coronaviruses have spread through faeces, and COVID-19 might also spread this way.







Symptoms

(Source (updated): WHO, 1 May 2020 )


Symptoms appear within 14 days after exposure (mostly 4-6 days).

Monitor your health !

(Source: WHO Infodemic 22 May 2020 )

(Source: WHO Infodemic 22 May 2020 )

People at risk

People at higher risk of severe disease: elderly persons or underlying health conditions

(Source: ISOS - Executive summary 4 March 2020)




Underlying health conditions, e.g.:

  • Cardiovascular disease, heart failure, high blood pressure
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic pulmonary disease, asthma
  • Cancer
  • Immunosuppression

Obesity and smoking (WHO ref. 1 , 2 , 3 ) are risk factors

Even if there is limited scientific evidence of higher risk in pregnant woman, we recommend to pay special attention to prevention

COVID-19 much less frequent in children than adults, children tend to have milder disease

Transmissibility



Immunity and COVID-19: Summary made by WHO (2nd August 2020)


Testing

Testing is a key tool in the fight against COVID-19. Different tests are available, but it is important to know th e difference between each of them (viral RNA, antigen, and antibody testing) in order to get the right test at the right time, enabling reliable results and diagnoses.

Abbott's Guide to getting the right Covid-19 tests at the right time
See also Synoptic table about Covid-19 tests (Solvay)



(Source: WHO Infodemic 22 May 2020 )



Educational material

WHO (World Health Organisation): WHO Q&A

For deeper information on the outbreak






ISOS ( International SOS) : ISOS Q&A

Other relevant references:

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