Press
5 June 2020
Workplace Pandemic Control Guide 2020
Pandemic Control Measures for Workplace
There is a need to re-evaluate today’s workplace challenges on safe distancing and preventive methods.
New policies will need to be considered, to control the number of people in a confined and designated area. Retrofitting existing workplaces with new implementation on hygiene practices will be the start of the new norm.
Due to ever increasing real estate rental cost in a constrained island like Singapore, a low density work environment is necessary for safe distancing during the pandemic but not sustainable for a long term, therefore Scalability, Adaptability and the Future proof solution needs to be considered.
Objectives
- Preparation on getting back to office after Circuit Breaker/Lockdown.
- Circulation flow.
- Safe distancing.
- Embracing technology to enhance remote conferencing.
- Reduce density.
- Minimize physical contact and improve personal hygiene.
- Introduce contact tracing.
- Application of contactless devices to minimize physical contact.
- Improve indoor air quality by reducing airborne pathogens.
How does the Coronavirus disease spread?
(The Cause)
Data from published epidemiology and virology studies provide evidence that COVID-19 is primarily transmitted from symptomatic people to others who are in close contact through respiratory droplets, by direct contact with infected persons, or by contact with contaminated objects and surfaces.
Asymptomatic infection makes it more difficult to trace and therefore strict prevention methods are needed.
How can you prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease?
Standard recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include frequent cleaning of hands, and observing good hygiene. Safe distancing, barrier screen, minimize common physical contact and keeping density low are some preventive methods.
Keep update on compliance standards and redefine space functions and density.
- Authority Compliance
- Identify home/office-bound employees
- Redefining space functions
- Employee Engagement
Authority Compliance
Company to obtain regular updates on governing authority requirements concerning workplace pandemic controls. This is to ensure compliance on general workspace requirements as well as specific requirements to the industry the firm is working in.
Identify home/office-bound employees
Companies determine employees who can work from home (WFH) and those needed at the office. The lockdown/circuit breaker (CB) measures have provided good reference data to assign work locations. This also guides each company to create work shift schedules and plan phased scenarios for returning to work.
Redefining space functions
Organizations to redefine the use of spaces due to safe distancing requirements. Collaboration areas and meeting rooms can be used as assigned seating in the interim. The reduction of social areas also discourage large gatherings. It is also important to designate isolation rooms to alleviate any contamination in case someone falls sick.
Employee Engagement
Management must communicate and get support from their organization. The adoption of best and safe practices can be further refined through employee feedback.
21 November 2019
CEO Magazine – Design Mastery: Andy Chua
For Andy Chua, Executive Director of D’Perception, designing beautiful functional and future-proofed office spaces is both an art and a science.
When Andy Chua, Executive Director of commercial interior design practice D’Perception, was eight years old, each weekend he’d visit building sites with his father, who was CEO of a large Singaporean development company. “I fell in love with construction and interiors, and became captivated by beautiful architecture,” recalls Andy.
D’Perception Singapore featured in latest issue of Asia Outlook (Issue #34).
Through the latest technologies and green energy solutions, D’Perception is bringing the city state’s urban environment to life.
Singapore is renowned as being one of the greenest cities in the world.
Ranked second across the globe by Arcadis’ global Sustainable Cities Index, Singapore is only bested by Zurich in the way of providing eco-friendly urban living spaces.
Despite being one of the most densely populated cities on earth, with approximately 8,227 people per square kilometre according to the UN’s World Population Prospects report, almost half of the city’s land is still made up of green spaces…
…Standing as a leading interior design group, comprised of four companies, D’Perception is driving the city’s wider green energy ambitions directly through its own services, offering pioneering capabilities in the creation of eco-friendly structures and office environments.