Safety Update

improvements to CFN safety

September 22, 2020

Wai-Lin Ng

The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is still all around us. In New York State, the positivity rate has been around 1 percent—meaning that one out of every 100 people tested for the virus are positive. This rate is considered relatively low compared to that of other regions in the United States. However, we need to stay vigilant. Many people infected with the virus don’t show any symptoms. Our safe work practices are designed to keep us healthy, but they only work if we all follow them. We need to continue following masking, social distancing, and quarantining guidelines at work and at home.

At Brookhaven, we continue to monitor national trends regarding the spread of COVID-19. As of today, 33 states and two territories (Guam and Puerto Rico) are listed on the New York State travel advisory. Before coming to the CFN, be sure to check if the state or territory you are returning from is on the list. All travelers returning from restricted states or territories must quarantine for 14 days.

To safeguard the health of our staff and users, please complete the following steps before coming to the CFN:

• Complete the COVID-19 return-to-work training.
• Watch the CFN resumption-of-operations orientation.
• Consult the daily CFN roster. Only come to the CFN if your name is listed on the roster for that particular day. Rosters are sent out weekly to all users and daily to users who have scheduled their visit. If you are on the list and cannot come on your assigned day, please inform your point of contact (POC) and User Administration as soon as possible in advance.
• On the day you are assigned to visit the CFN, perform the self-screening exercise described below.
• Once you are at the CFN, inform your POC if you start feeling unwell in any way.

Self-screening

Brookhaven continues to require everyone to self-screen before entering the site. Make a habit of self-screening at the same time and place each morning. Ask yourself these questions: How am I feeling today? Do I feel sick? Am I having strange symptoms? Have I been around someone sick?

If you feel sick, contact your POC and the User Administrator. Stay home and take a sick day. We will work with you to reschedule your visit.

Social distancing, physical barriers, and face coverings

At the CFN, we have adopted several practices to prevent the spread of virus particles:

• Social distancing: keep at least six feet between yourself and others
• Physical barriers: respect plastic shields used as partitions between individuals
• Face coverings: wear masks to learn the proper way) to protect others in case you are infected

All staff and users should continue to think about these practices so that we can adjust and improve them as necessary. If you have suggestions, please contact me. 

— Wai-Lin Ng
ES&H Manager

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