COVID 19 Preparedness and Response Plan

 COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan

In accordance with Executive Order 2020-175, Our Lady of Peace Parish institutes this COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.

Our Lady of Peace Parish aims to protect its workforce by enacting all appropriate prevention efforts.   Our Lady of Peace Parish is continually monitoring guidance from local, state, and federal health officials and implementing workplace and Plan modifications where appropriate.

Linda Knepfler has been designated as the COVID-19 Site Supervisor for Our Lady of Peace Parish.  Employees with questions are encouraged to contact Linda Knepfler at 989-892-6031 or by cell phone 989-482-9577.

Our Lady of Peace Parish designates the following worksite employees to implement, monitor, and report on this Plan: Deacon Ken Kochany, Director of Parish Life.  Our Lady of Peace Parish will designate additional individuals as needed.

This Plan is maintained and posted on the Parish Office Bulletin Board, Parish Center Conference Room, Church Sacristy in Gathering area, Food Pantry, Charismatic Center Office, Parish Hall, on the Parish Website, and on the E: Drive under COVID 19 ;Preparedness and Response Plan.

  1. Prevention Efforts and Workplace Controls

 

  1. Cleanliness and Social Distancing

Our Lady of Peace Parish monitors the number of employees present on premises and the movement of employees between work sites to no more than is strictly necessary.  Employees who can perform their essential duties remotely may be permitted to work from home three fifths of their work schedule and two fifths of their work schedule being on-site in accordance with approved telework arrangements.

Only workers permitted by Executive Order to resume on-site duties, are directed to report on-site.  Our Lady of Peace Parish abides by the recommended social distancing and other safety measures and establishes the following:

  • Gatherings where social distancing cannot be maintained are prohibited.
  • Meetings will be held remotely or cancelled when social distancing cannot be maintained.
  • Employees are encouraged to maintain physical distance even when on break, as well as before and after working hours.
  • Employees are required to maintain physical distance when reporting to work and leaving work.
  • Our Lady of Peace Parish utilizes ground markings, signs, and physical barriers, as appropriate, to further facilitate social distancing.
  • Our Lady of Peace Parish assigns a dedicated entry point at the main entrance where individuals entering must maintain at least six feet of distance as they enter the facility.
  • Workstations will be no fewer than six feet apart.
  • Our Lady of Peace Parish utilizes physical barriers, where possible and appropriate.
  • Our Lady of Peace Parish turns off water fountains.
  • Our Lady of Peace Parish has suspended food services operations.
  • Our Lady of Peace Parish has suspended overnight lodging accommodations.
  • Our Lady of Peace Parish posts this Plan to emphasize the importance of personal hygiene.
  • Employees’ interactions with the public and delivery personnel are modified to allow for social distancing and additional physical space between parties; and
  • Non-essential travel and in-person visits are postponed or cancelled.

Our Lady of Peace Parish provides employees with, at a minimum, non-medical grade face coverings.  Keeping with CDC guidelines, MDHHS Emergency Order under MCL 333.2253-Gathering Prohibition and Face Covering Order requires the use of facial coverings in the workplace by most employees to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  MDHHS Emergency Order under MCL 333.2253 requires employers to require face coverings be worn when employees cannot consistently maintain six feet of separation from other individuals in the workplace, and consider face shields when employees cannot consistently maintain three feet of separation from other individuals in the workplace.     In addition, Our Lady of Peace Parish is instituting the following cleanliness measures:

  • Where possible, increasing ventilation rates and circulation throughout worksites.
  • Implementing a cleanliness plan and infection-control measures in accordance with EPA Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting, performing routine environmental cleaning and disinfection with an EPA-approved disinfectant, especially of common areas and frequently touched surfaces.
    • Identifying what needs to be cleaned with soap and water, including visibly dirty surfaces.
    • Identifying what needs to be disinfected with an EPA-approved disinfectant or EPA-approved alternative and identifying when disinfection is needed considering estimates of the length of time that COVID-19 is airborne and survives on various surfaces.
  • Where available, providing handwashing and/or hand-sanitizing stations in high-traffic areas to enable easy access by employees.

Our Lady of Peace Parish identifies the following locations as high-risk areas: HALLWAYS, ELEVATORS, OFFICE KITCHEN, SANCTUARY, PARISH CENTER, PARISH HALL, FOOD PANTRY, CHARISMATIC CENTER, AND BATHROOMS.  Employees must maintain social distancing when occupying and/or passing through these areas and wear face mask coverings.  Our Lady of Peace Parish provides employees with cleaning and disinfecting supplies that can be found in Parish Center Kitchen, Food Pantry Cleaning Closet, Charismatic Center Cleaning Closet, Church Sanctuary Closet.

Employees are expected to minimize COVID-19 exposure by:

  • Avoiding, when possible, the use of other employees’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment.
  • Frequently cleaning and disinfecting commonly shared tools and equipment.
  • Frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Utilizing hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
  • Avoiding touching their faces with unwashed hands.
  • Avoiding handshakes or other direct physical contact.
  • Avoiding close contact with sick people.
  • Practicing respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.
  • Immediately reporting unsafe or unsanitary conditions to designated Plan supervisors.
  • Complying with Our Lady of Peace ‘s daily screening processes.
  • Seeking medical attention and/or following medical advice if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Complying with self-isolation or quarantine orders; and
  • Utilizing personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer.

 

Employees have received information contained within this Plan, as well as the CDC’s “How to Protect Yourself and Others” and “How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Covering” posters, attached here.  Employees return a signed acknowledgement to COVID 19 Site Supervisor, confirming their receipt and review of the information.

  1. Supplemental Measures Upon Notification of Employee’s COVID-19 Diagnosis

An employee with a COVID-19 diagnosis or who displays symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must be immediately removed from the worksite.

In response to a confirmed diagnosis or display of COVID-19 symptoms, as defined by the Daily Screening process, by any individual who worked at or visited the worksite, the Our Lady of Peace Parish:

  • Informs all employees, owners, contractors, or suppliers who may have come into contact with the diagnosed individual in the 48 hours preceding the reported onset of symptoms of a potential exposure within 24 hours of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
  • Keeps confidential the identity of the diagnosed individual; and
  • Implements its response plan and cleaning and disinfecting protocols, including shutting down appropriate areas of the premises for 24 hours, increasing ventilation, and conducting a deep cleaning of common areas potentially infected by the individual.

All employees who worked in sustained, close proximity to the diagnosed individual (i.e., those employees who had direct contact within six feet of the diagnosed individual for at least fifteen minutes) in the 48-hour timeframe are also removed from the worksite for at least 14 days or until cleared by their health care provider; however, should these exposed employees later develop COVID-19 symptoms and/or receive a confirmed diagnosis, they may not report on-site until all return-to-work requirements are met, defined below.

Our Lady of Peace Site Supervisor Linda Knepfler will confidentially maintain a central log of diagnosed employees.

Within 24 hours of a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, Our Lady of Peace Parish notifies the local public health department.

Our Lady of Peace Site Supervisor, Linda Knepfler will maintain documentation related to exposure notifications.

Our Lady of Peace Parish notifies Gallagher-Bassett of work-related injuries, “if it is more likely than not that a factor or exposure in the workplace caused or contributed to the illness.”  If an employee infects a coworker, the coworker has suffered a work-related illness if one of the recording criteria (e.g., medical treatment or days away from work) is met.

 

  1. Worker Exposure Classification

Employees’ “worker exposure” is classified as lower risk by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s guidance because they do not frequently and/or closely interact with the public, and social distancing can be maintained between coworkers.

Given this classification, no additional controls are recommended or required by OSHA at this time.

  1. Identification and Isolation of Sick and/or Exposed Employees

Risk and exposure determinations are made without regard to employees’ protected characteristics, as defined by local, state, and federal law.

Any health-related information and documentation gathered from employees is maintained confidentially and in compliance with state and federal law.  Specifically, medical documentation is stored separate from employees’ personnel documentation.

  1. Employees’ Self-Monitoring

The following employees should not report to work and, upon timely notification to Deacon Ken Kochany, Director of Parish Life, will be removed from the regular work schedule:

  • Employees who are currently and atypically suffering from symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever of 100.4 degrees or greater, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of smell or taste, congestion or runny nose, and/or gastrointestinal problems, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, whether or not accompanied by a formal COVID-19 diagnosis;
  • Employees who, in the last 14 days, have had direct contact with and/or live with any person having a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis: and
  • Employees who, in the last 14 days, have had direct contact with and/or live with any person who is atypically suffering from symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever of 100.4 degrees or greater, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of smell or taste, congestion or runny nose, and/or gastrointestinal problems, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Such employees may only resume in-person work upon meeting all return-to-work requirements, defined below.

  1. Daily Screenings

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the potential risk of exposure, Our Lady of Peace Parish screens employees and visitors on a daily basis at dedicated entry points;  Our Lady of Peace Parish ensures that employees and visitors utilize these entry points by barring entry via other egresses.    Infrared thermometers are at entry points for COVID 19 Site Supervisor to record daily temperature on the Daily Screening Questionnaire:

Employees are asked the following questions before entering the worksite:

  1. Have you recently tested positive for COVID-19? ____ Yes      ____ No
  2. Are you currently and atypically suffering from any of the following symptoms–a fever of 100.4 degrees or greater, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of smell or taste, congestion or runny nose, and/or gastrointestinal problems, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting?   ____ Yes        ____ No
    1. If yes, access is denied, and employee is advised to self-isolate/self-quarantine at home, until employee is permitted to return to work as defined below.
  3. Have you lived with, or had close contact with, someone in the last 14 days diagnosed with or displaying the symptoms of COVID-19? _____ Yes     _____ No
    1. If yes, access is denied, and employee is advised to self-isolate/self-quarantine at home, until at least 14 days after the close contact.
  4. In the last 14 days have you traveled outside the State of Michigan without following CDC guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks or have you traveled to countries with widespread ongoing transmission? ____ Yes ____ No
    1. If yes, access is denied, and employee is advised to self-isolate/self-quarantine at home, until at least 14 days after the close contact.

 

Visitors who reply “Yes” to any of the above questions are not permitted entrance.

Employees who develop symptoms during their shift must immediately report to Deacon Ken Kochany, Director of Parish Life.  Then Deacon Ken Kochany will inform COVID 19 Site Supervisor, Linda Knepfler.

Our Lady of Peace COVID 19 Coordinator, Linda Knepfler maintains documentation related to daily screenings.

  1. Return-to-Work Requirements

Employees who were themselves diagnosed with COVID-19, or experienced symptoms thereof, as defined by the Daily Screening process, may only return to work upon confirmation of the cessation of symptoms and contagiousness, proof of which may be acquired via the symptom-based strategy.

Under the symptom-based strategy, employees may discontinue isolation and return to work upon achieving the following conditions:

  • 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • Improvement in symptoms; and
  • Sufficient time has passed since symptoms first appeared:
  • For moderate cases, at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
  • For severe cases, at least 20 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Employees who came into direct contact with, or live with, an individual with a confirmed diagnosis may return to work after 14 days have passed.

Employees are typically required to submit a release to return to work from a healthcare provider; given the current stressors on the healthcare system, Our Lady of Peace Parish may accept written statements from employees confirming all the factors supporting their release.

  1. Workplace Flexibilities and Potential Benefits for Employees Affected by COVID-19

Employees may utilize available All-Purpose Leave and Short-Term Disability provided under Our Lady of Peace Parish policy.   Application forms are available through the Parish Office Coordinator.

  1. FMLA and ADA

Employees may be entitled to unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) if their absence is related to their own serious health condition or that of a family member.  COVID-19 may constitute a serious health condition where “complications arise.”

Our Lady of Peace Parish is also mindful of its obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).  Specifically, if an employee requests an accommodation because of a condition that may be complicated by COVID-19 (e.g., cystic fibrosis, emphysema, COPD), Our Lady of Peace Parish engages in the interactive process to provide a reasonable accommodation.  This may mean allowing the employee to work remotely (if reasonable) or work an alternative schedule.

  1. Plan Updates and Expiration

This Plan responds to the COVID-19 outbreak.  As this pandemic progress, Our Lady of Peace Parish will update this Plan and its corresponding processes.

This Plan will expire upon conclusion of its need, as determined by the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw and Our Lady of Peace Parish and in accordance with guidance from local, state, and federal health officials.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By signing below, Employee acknowledges receipt of the following:

  • Company’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.
  • CDC’s “How to Protect Yourself and Others” poster.
  • CDC’s “How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Covering” poster.

Employee understands it is his/her responsibility to review and understand the above.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that he/she will comply with all safety and COVID-19 procedures implemented by Our Lady of Peace Parish.

 

_________________________________                    __________________________
Employee