During COVID-19 How you guys are checking employee temperatures at your facility

Hello guys,

protecting our staff members from other staff members that may have come in or might be sick, it was decided to take employees temperature before entering to facility. 

I would greatly appreciate your assistance and your input on this topic, or if you could share your SOP on how you handle it. Also, what kind of temperature thermometer do you use?

We are not testing temps yet.

We are asking employee to report symptoms and talking things over with them in an attempt to be specific about how they are feeling.  Many people have body temps out of the 'normal' range and we wouldn't want to send someone home because of a out of range normal reading.

YMMV

We are not taking employees temperature since we have almost 1500 employees :/

Instead, we have a questionnaire that they have to answer before coming in each day, to ensure that they haven't dealt with someone who is sick, or that they did not travel or meet with someone who just came from abroad.

We always remind them that if they do not feel well, they are required to stay home.

We also have upgraded their hard hats with a plexi shield to try and minimize the splatter of droplets from the nose and mouth.

I hear a lot of food companies here in Canada have implemented temperature checks of their employees using a non-contact infrared thermometer pointed at their foreheads.

I am not checking temperature for current employees but we are checking temperature for new employees coming in (agency temp) as additional measure. I'm not a fan of this because it doesn't really tell you anything - a person determined to lie to earn money will do whatever he can to hide the symptoms (e,g tylenol etc.).

The most important thing is to educate everyone that if they lie or if they do not report, they are putting everyone at risk in the facility.

I would not take temperatures. Check the EEO laws you have first. You could be running into a bad situation if your just taking temperatures at the door. 

If they have symptoms or tell you their sick, send them home. Advised them if they are sick, to not come in. Most of this is typical for the food industry, but reinforcement doesn't hurt. 

No data = No validation ? Pro-activity ? (I guess a major problem is that 100% sampling is indicated)

The link in this post seems to imply a requirement for focussing on implementing  "social distancing"

https://www.ifsqn.co...19/#entry157974

Annex

 

Key Concern: Employees do not have the ability to maintain the physical distance recommended by PHAC in specific areas of the plant.

Mitigation: Changes to employee behavior regarding moving within the plant, communicating between employees and access control to specific areas (i.e. CFIA office). Examples of mitigation measures include:

• Stopping the line (reducing the noise level) to properly communicate a critical issue and eliminate the need for "close contact communication" in loud environment (anticipated to be infrequent).
• Require the operator to have an employee closer (~2m) to the inspector on viscera to enable regular communication without moving through the kill floor.
• Adjust on-site inspection practices and frequencies to increase the distance between CFIA employees and plant staff coupled with adjusting travel patterns through the plant to avoid people-congested areas.
• Discourage non-essential communication between employees on the kill floor due to the noise level to reduce the occurrences of close contact and to adopt alternate communication practices like phone and email for essential communication.
• Further restrict access to certain areas in the plant by employees by adjusting sanitation schedules and installing an in/out box outside of the CFIA office for example for exchanging documentation.

Key Concern: That not all employees are following public health advice or establishment protocols regarding general hygiene to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission away from food production areas.

Mitigation: Employees are required to immediately raise concerns to their supervisor for discussion and resolution.

Easier said than Done ?!

The requirements for reporting any occurrence of ill-feelings are typically embodied in starting employment contracts.

We are using health questionnaires with employees which includes if they have been in contact with anyone with symptoms, tested positive, or is in process of being tested.  Yes to any of these they do not get through the door.

As of today we started taking temperatures of all employees as they enter with an infrared thermometer to the forehead.  We are using only one entrance location to enter the facility.  According to our HR this is not an EEOC issue as the laws have become more lax, temporarily, due to the nature of the event.  Any temperature above 99.5oF (37.5oC) the employee cannot enter the facility and is sent home.  They are required to get a test for Coronavirus and cannot return until the test is negative or they are free of symptoms.

I don't know where the source of the temperature limit came from, I believe the CDC.  Of course, all of this is being documented daily and records only accessible by HR and select managers / supervisors.

We even changed the uniform policy where employees do not use locker rooms for changing (large number of employees in small space).  They take uniforms home and come dressed to work.  They will have to bring the dirty uniforms with them in order to be let into the facility to prevent persons from washing / laundering at home.  HR is setting up ability for employees to clock in on an app on their phone which uses geolocation.

This afternoon we had an employee test with a 104oF temperature, but he had just come in after heavy exercising.  He rested outside for about 5 minutes and was tested again and passed.  This was documented as well.

Really this is about all you can do unless you plan to shut the facility down.  So far, we've had 3 people affected by this; the rest are working from home or coming to work.  We are even training office personnel to run equipment in / when we have to start quarantining a large number of people.  We also enforce the 6 foot spacing where possible and do not have meetings face to face any longer.  Our company is doing lots and lots to help prevent it entering our facility and affecting our workers, but I know it will happen at some point.

But, all of this will / can change in the next day...everything is evolving quickly.

We are stuck in that we cannot produce our food products remotely and we are deemed an essential business. We are going to run as much as we can.

We are testing temperatures but excuse the language, it's crap.  It doesn't work and it risks someone who expects they have symptoms not reporting it because you can get a lot of false negatives.  We also have a security guard on the door asking if each person has a temperature over 37.8oC or a new persistent cough or if any of their family do.  If any of those questions are "yes", they don't come on site.

The problem with body temperature measurement is it doesn't work if someone has just come in from the outside.

We are testing temperatures but excuse the language, it's crap.  It doesn't work and it risks someone who expects they have symptoms not reporting it because you can get a lot of false negatives.  We also have a security guard on the door asking if each person has a temperature over 37.8oC or a new persistent cough or if any of their family do.  If any of those questions are "yes", they don't come on site.

 

The problem with body temperature measurement is it doesn't work if someone has just come in from the outside.

Any prize for the fastest  NoNoNo.?

Yes, we are currently taking everyone's temperature. We are also trying to adhere to the 6' social distancing rule of thumb while working inside the facility.

If anyone is out sick for any reason, we require a health questionnaire as well as supervisor visual review before assigning them to their work station.

We are testing temperatures but excuse the language, it's crap.  It doesn't work and it risks someone who expects they have symptoms not reporting it because you can get a lot of false negatives.  We also have a security guard on the door asking if each person has a temperature over 37.8oC or a new persistent cough or if any of their family do.  If any of those questions are "yes", they don't come on site.

 

The problem with body temperature measurement is it doesn't work if someone has just come in from the outside.

Thank you for the information. i would like to know what do you mean by it doesn't work or if employee just come in from outside?

Does anyone able to share their health questionnaire? 

Any prize for the fastest  NoNoNo.?

We had this concern in our meeting yesterday.  What we are doing is giving employees additional compensation during this time to help prevent them saying they have symptoms and can't come to work.  We do require they get tested for coronavirus and report results to our HR.  But...you can delay things over a week before anything HR can really do anything.

So...you pray you have honest employees that want to come to work.

Does anyone able to share their health questionnaire? 

Basic:

• Do you or anyone in your household have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath?
• Have you been exposed to anyone with COVID-19?
• If yes, have you been tested?

Yes to any of these results in a further discussion with HR to determine if employee is allowed into the facility.

We are stuck in that we cannot produce our food products remotely and we are deemed an essential business. We are going to run as much as we can.

Does not mean you are "stuck".  It means the mitigation steps you take are more challenging and difficult.  Hopefully your company at least has a plan if an employee is exposed or tests positive for COVID-19 because you are obligated to protect the health of your workforce during this time, essential or not.

I would not take temperatures. Check the EEO laws you have first. You could be running into a bad situation if your just taking temperatures at the door. 

 

If they have symptoms or tell you their sick, send them home. Advised them if they are sick, to not come in. Most of this is typical for the food industry, but reinforcement doesn't hurt. 

The EEOC confirmed that measuring employees’ body temperatures is permissible given the current circumstances. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) places restrictions on the inquiries that an employer can make into an employee’s medical status, and the EEOC considers taking an employee’s temperature to be a “medical examination” under the ADA

Hello guys,
 
protecting our staff members from other staff members that may have come in or might be sick, it was decided to take employees temperature before entering to facility. 
 
I would greatly appreciate your assistance and your input on this topic, or if you could share your SOP on how you handle it. Also, what kind of temperature thermometer do you use?

 
So we did get a temperature thermometer as initially ordered by our manager. But we found it did not work. We have many people working here and like a poster here said, they came from outside.. and our outside is humid, hot Florida. We got the infrared no touch gun shaped thermometer from Ebay.
 
What we are doing is monitoring all employees for any coughing and made them ALL AWARE that if they do not feel ok, stay home along with telling them what the company will do if they are at home. Basically let them know and ensure them it is okay if you do not feel well and not come to work. Everytime they clock in and clock out they should wash their hands and if they are coming from outside, wash their hands. Also in process of doing a questionnaire like everyone mentioned here. It is a good way for tracking.

I would not rely on taking temperatures.  Indications are a person can have the virus without showing any symptoms or showing symptoms days after they are contagious, so that is ineffective and could give a false sense of security.  We are stressing CDC recommendations; physical distancing, frequently washing hands and sanitizing surfaces, if their sick stay home,...  If you assume everyone is contagious and act accordingly, the odds tip in your favor.

Does not mean you are "stuck".  It means the mitigation steps you take are more challenging and difficult.  Hopefully your company at least has a plan if an employee is exposed or tests positive for COVID-19 because you are obligated to protect the health of your workforce during this time, essential or not.

Oh we do have a plan...it is to keep the sick and exposed at home and find a way to keep running.  :rolleyes:

Not relating to taking temperatures in particular, but a consideration worth taking is prevention of off-shift staff entering the site - I learnt this the hard way yesterday. My company is running  limited production due to sales loss and we make sure that the one remaining shift is of the same staff, so that if an infection occurs we can switch to a fresh group and continue manufacturing. Yesterday a group of the temporarily laid-off staff had a wage discrepancy so entered the site and walked round looking for the HR staff and mingling with their colleagues  :closedeyes:

I've since suggested we change the door pin code entry and ask (and hope) the on-shift staff keep this to themselves, until the orders increase and the rest of the operatives can come back on site. Until then it's just an unnecessary risk. 

For those who are taking temperatures. If an employee has a temperature - are you giving them a handout on the next steps (have to stay home and be fever free for 72 hours, must have a doctor's note, etc.). What are you telling that employee with a fever who you turned away.

For those who are taking temperatures. If an employee has a temperature - are you giving them a handout on the next steps (have to stay home and be fever free for 72 hours, must have a doctor's note, etc.). What are you telling that employee with a fever who you turned away.

They must follow the current guidelines for our state which is stay home, unless you are going to the doctor, getting food or essentials, or going to work.  They are to go to a doctor for further evaluation and possible testing of COVID-19.  The problem is COVID-19 tests are in very short supply in our area so difficult to get a test.  If they cannot get a test they must stay home until their symptoms break.  If they get a test they cannot return until the test results come in and are negative.

Employees do get paid leave, regardless of the testing and outcomes, at this point so they are not losing anything.

We are using health questionnaires with employees which includes if they have been in contact with anyone with symptoms, tested positive, or is in process of being tested.  Yes to any of these they do not get through the door.

 

As of today we started taking temperatures of all employees as they enter with an infrared thermometer to the forehead.  We are using only one entrance location to enter the facility.  According to our HR this is not an EEOC issue as the laws have become more lax, temporarily, due to the nature of the event.  Any temperature above 99.5oF (37.5oC) the employee cannot enter the facility and is sent home.  They are required to get a test for Coronavirus and cannot return until the test is negative or they are free of symptoms.

 

I don't know where the source of the temperature limit came from, I believe the CDC.  Of course, all of this is being documented daily and records only accessible by HR and select managers / supervisors.

 

We even changed the uniform policy where employees do not use locker rooms for changing (large number of employees in small space).  They take uniforms home and come dressed to work.  They will have to bring the dirty uniforms with them in order to be let into the facility to prevent persons from washing / laundering at home.  HR is setting up ability for employees to clock in on an app on their phone which uses geolocation.

 

This afternoon we had an employee test with a 104oF temperature, but he had just come in after heavy exercising.  He rested outside for about 5 minutes and was tested again and passed.  This was documented as well.

 

Really this is about all you can do unless you plan to shut the facility down.  So far, we've had 3 people affected by this; the rest are working from home or coming to work.  We are even training office personnel to run equipment in / when we have to start quarantining a large number of people.  We also enforce the 6 foot spacing where possible and do not have meetings face to face any longer.  Our company is doing lots and lots to help prevent it entering our facility and affecting our workers, but I know it will happen at some point.

 

But, all of this will / can change in the next day...everything is evolving quickly.

Ryan,

Would you mind sharing the SOP you guys may have written for the employee / visitor temperature checks.  I am working on one now and would like to get some ideas. (Or does anyone else have any SOP's written for this.

Thanks,

Stephen

Sure, the employees are asked questions concerning health / symptoms / and persons in their household.  Potential exposure to anyone with COVID-19, testing, etc.  See below.

• Do you or anyone in your household have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath?
• Have you been exposed to anyone with COVID-19?
• If yes, have you been tested?

Yes to any of these results in a further discussion with HR to determine if employee is allowed into the facility.

Temperatures are taken by nurses we have hired for this using an indirect thermometer (IR).  It is one that's specific for forehead testing.  I did verify the accuracy of it, but the thing with the IR thermometers is you have to be a very specific distance from the target temperature area / zone.  The ones we have must be 2" from the forehead.  If it is closer it gives false high reading and if it is further away it gives a false low reading.  So, all the nurses were trained on this as well.

Only visitors we are taking at this point are contractors that are essential to business and operations.  All contractors have to go through the same intake SOP, they must be on the list (each person by name) for each day; we keep a daily log of all contractors.  If they are not on the list the nurse calls the contractor's key contact.  Contractors must supply their own face protection (face shield or mask or etc).  Contractors get a wrist band with the date written on it.  Anytime they leave the facility and come back they must have their temperature taken again.

We are allowing employees to take home uniforms and dedicated shoes / footwear.  But, we setup multiple foot baths at entrance points to the facility so everyone coming in sanitizes their footwear.  We have closed off the locker rooms to help prevent congregation in close spaces.  We also moved our pre-shift huddle meetings to Microsoft Teams and not in the break room or conference rooms.

Ryan,

 

Would you mind sharing the SOP you guys may have written for the employee / visitor temperature checks.  I am working on one now and would like to get some ideas. (Or does anyone else have any SOP's written for this.

 

Thanks,

 

Stephen