In challenging times like these, Tokio Marine America’s mission as a Good Company is to provide Anshin (safety, security and peace of mind) to our clients and the public is essential. We have two new trainings available to help business and their employees during the coronavirus crisis.

Ergonomics for Working From Home

The situation surrounding COVID-19 continues evolve day-by-day. With federal and state officials and businesses requiring the public to stay and work from home, this poses a unique situation for people who traditionally have not worked from home before.

We have developed resources that provide employees with information on how to best stay healthy and be comfortable while working from home. The video from Ergonomics International (ErgoMethods) provides employees with information on how to best arrange their workstations to remain productive and comfortable at home along, with regular sanitizing tips to help prevent virus spread.

COVID-19 Keeping Employees Safe While Working from Home

COVID-19 Prevention for Businesses

Business can view a nine-minute online course that discusses general precautions on how to prevent virus transmission and loss prevention strategies specific to COVID-19.

For more information on SafetySkills and how to access this valuable resource, please go to the Tokio Marine America/eSafety website and complete the Contact Information form at the bottom of the webpage. Please indicate your interest in the Coronavius Prevention course in the additional information comment field, and the number of employees to be trained. A loss control consultant will contact you to discuss the next steps to access the SafetySkills LMS.

Building Precautions During Vacated or Idle Production

Facilities can be idled temporarily or long term for a variety of reasons. During idle conditions, it is important to maintain key facility systems to ensure safe conditions for the building and equipment to minimize the risk of property damage.

Tokio Marine America Property Loss Control has developed guidelines to identify action items to complete before, during and upon resumption of operations.

Precautions During Vacated or Idle Production Periods

More Resources for Organizations

In addition to communicating the above recommendations to employees, organizations can take further steps to be prepared in the event of an outbreak.

The current CDC recommended strategies employers can use include:

  • Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
  • Separate sick employees: CDC 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 should be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately
  • Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees
  • Perform routine environmental cleaning

Ready.gov provides detailed information, and a free software program, for developing a business continuity plan in the face of a variety of hazards, including health hazards such as widespread and serious illnesses.

Many organizations and businesses in the US are facing unique concerns in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses are seeing large disruptions in their supply chains, having to find ways to compensate for breaks in the chain because of closures in heavily impacted countries. Organizations, such as schools and churches, are having to decide if they should hold large events, or possibly close altogether. While this can be overwhelming, the following should be considered as you navigate the decision-making process and response:

  • Remain calm. As with any situation, it is important to remain calm to ensure responses are measured and appropriate
  • Stay informed. Follow trusted sources of information, including the various COVID-19 dedicated websites for the CDC, the WHO, OSHA, and also local governmental health and public safety organizations
  • Be prepared. Create a plan for yourself, your family, your community, and your organization and trust in that plan. Be sure to follow the steps that have been laid out
  • Communicate. Be sure to communicate plans and information to all involved, including employees, volunteers, clients, parents, and others.

What Individuals Can Do

The CDC recommends individuals and families follow everyday preventive measures. These measures include:

  • Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. At the present time, these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to COVID-19-related virus
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trash can
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol
  • Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also advises to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands and to avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Other Resources

World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control and Prevention Resources

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regularly update information as more becomes available about the disease.

Checklists:
Pandemic Flu Checklist: Workplace Administrators
NFPA Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Guides:
Get Your Community and Faith-Based Organizations Ready for Pandemic Flu
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
United States Department of Labor Coronavirus Resources
Texas Department of Insurance Guidance on COVID-19 and the Workplace

Infosheets:
National Safety Council Coronavirus Resources
BLR EHS Safety Advisor 11 Steps your Organization Can Take
Protect Yourself and Your Students from Flu During the School Year
Protect Yourself from Flu at a Large Public Event
Do Your Part to Slow the Spread of Flu

IMPORTANT NOTICE - The information and suggestions presented by Tokio Marine Management, Inc. is for your consideration in your loss prevention efforts. They are not intended to be complete or definitive in identifying all hazards associated with your business, preventing workplace accidents, or complying with any safety related, or other, laws or regulations. You are encouraged to alter them to fit the specific hazards of your business and to have your legal counsel review all of your plans and company policies.