Best Risk Management Practices for Re-Opening Public Facilities

As we prepare to reopen our public facilities, there are crucial steps to assure the safety of employees, patrons and the public. 

A preliminary step is to be current with the pronouncements of the local civil and health authority, and to review the most recent CDC guidelines on cleanliness and sanitation at our facilities.  

After these steps are taken, carefully crafted plans should be established, providing the highest assurance that all possible steps are being taken to minimize the risk of disease transmission, including COVID-19, within our facilities.  Elements of the plan may include:

• A physical facility review to assure adequate spacing between users of the facilities.  An excellent example is the grocery or retail stores that have placed markers on the floor, as well as signage to remind patrons to practice safe distancing.  This could also include appropriate transparent barriers to protect staff at check in and during use of the facility. 
• Modification of facility use waivers, which can be signed to have participants recognize that they are assuming the inherit risk of being in the facility and the possibility of contracting COVID-19 from other participants in the facility. 
• Establish detailed cleaning and sanitizing protocols, with checklists for all facilities areas, including high-frequency touch areas (e.g Doorknobs, handles, counter tops, glass partitions, restrooms, handrails, elevator buttons, etc.). 
• Provide areas where patrons can sanitize their hands when entering and throughout the facility.
• Recommend face masks in common entry points or when participants may be proximate to other patrons and cannot practice social distancing.
• Limit the number of patrons in areas that may become overcrowded.
• Provide sanitizing spray, wipes, etc. for clean all equipment, and ensure these cleaners are re-supplied throughout the day.
• Ensure property signage is in place reminding patrons to sanitize equipment before and after use.

Before reopening and throughout the early phases of reopening, ensure all facility equipment is inspected and maintained, including rooftop air handlers, boilers, electrical equipment, pool pumps and filters, commercial kitchen equipment, etc.  Special attention should be given to equipment that may have been turned off during a closure, to monitor for maintenance issues that could arising during the restarting process.

With many staff members returning after a prolonged time period, it is a good idea to provide a general reorientation training for all employees, as well as specific training for those employees in specialized areas, including lifeguards, certified pool operators, maintenance technicians, etc.

The procedures and training should also include recognition of those that may present symptoms of COVID-19, and how to respond if a facility patron should appear to exhibit symptoms.