COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN
This following SARS-CoV-2 Preparedness and Response
Plan (Plan) is established for the Pinconning Area School District (PASD) in
accordance with the most recent Executive Order (EOs 2020-36, 2020-97, and
2020-110) concerning employee safety and health, and all requirements therein
signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and also in accordance with Guidance on
Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 as referenced by the Executive Orders. This
plan is subject to change based on further information provided by the Center
for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), newly implemented Executive Orders issued by the Governor, and other
public officials. The Pinconning Area School District (PASD) may also amend
this Plan based on operational needs or alterations to rules, regulations,
executive orders, and laws.
Responsibilities of Pinconning Area School District
The PASD adopts the following practices and measures
as part of the Preparedness and Response Plan to protect employees and students
from the spread of COVID-19 for the duration of what is now referred to as the
COVID-19 pandemic:
● The PASD Preparedness and
Response Plan is readily available to employees and is posted on the district
website www.pasd.org
● The Superintendent designated
administrative and supervisory staff to implement, monitor, and report on the
COVID-19 control strategies developed in the Plan.
● The PASD entrance protocol
must be followed by all employees. Employees must report experiencing symptoms
of COVID-19 to their immediate supervisor. Those who are symptomatic may be
isolated and sent home immediately. Employees sent home are not allowed to
return to work until the appropriate guidelines established by the Bay County
Health and Human Services Department (BCHHD) or CDC are met. The immediate
supervisor is required to timely notify the Superintendent or designee of any
symptomatic employee.
● The Superintendent or
designee is responsible for contacting the local public health department and
any persons who may have come in contact with the person with a confirmed case
of COVID-19. Employees diagnosed positive with COVID-19 are eligible to return
to the workplace only after they are no longer infectious according to the
latest guidelines from the CDC.
● The PASD is providing
COVID-19 training to employees that include the following:
● Workplace infection-control
practices
● The proper use of personal
protective equipment
● Steps employees must take to
notify the district of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed
diagnosis of COVID-19
● How to report unsafe working
conditions
● The PASD supports remote work
to limit the number of employees permitted to report for the purpose of
performing the in-person work essential to maintain its operations, until Phase
5 of the State of Michigan Re-Engagement Plan or other relevant executive
orders, laws, or regulations. All employees approved to work onsite in-person
are required to follow the onsite self-health check prior to entering the
workplace.
● The PASD requires all
employees who are onsite to maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet from
one another to the maximum extent possible. In the event that employees cannot
maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet, face coverings are required.
● Face coverings are required
in all shared spaces, including during in-person meetings where social
distancing practices cannot be met, and in restrooms and hallways.
● The PASD increased its
general standard of facility cleaning and disinfection to limit exposure to
COVID-19 to include disinfecting high-touch surfaces (door handles, office
equipment, remotes, whiteboards, etc), and adopted protocols to clean and
disinfect in the event of a positive COVID-19 case in the workplace.
●
The PASD makes available personal protective equipment (PPE)
as appropriate for the work tasks to be performed to staff, as well as soaps
and disinfecting supplies for staff for routine use. All staff are encouraged
to bring and use cloth masks to ensure sufficient mask supplies are maintained
at each building. Pursuant to Executive Orders, non-medical grade masks for
employees who must work onsite are available from PASD.
Responsibilities of Employees
Employees are expected to adhere to the following measures
in order to protect themselves, other employees, and students for the duration
of the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow basic infection prevention measures, including
but not limited to:
● Frequent and thorough hand
washing for at least 20 seconds.
● Follow appropriate
respiratory etiquette (e.g. covering sneezes and coughs).
● Avoid touching your eyes,
nose, or mouth.
● Stay at home if sick.
● Adhere to social distancing
guidelines by remaining six (6) feet apart.
● Wear a face covering over the
nose and mouth when entering the workplace, in all common areas, hallways, and
restrooms. Employees working less than six (6) feet away from others are
required to wear a face covering.
●
Complete the Health Department COVID-19 Health Check upon
entering the workplace and complete the sign-in sheet.
Entrance Protocol of Employees
The Bay-Arenac ISD commits to following guidelines for
reporting cases and abiding by entrance protocols provided by the Bay County
Public Health Department.
Workplace Protections
The PASD follows provisions established for paid leave
time in accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA),
Michigan Paid Medical Leave Act (PMLA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and
any applicable leave provided benefits afforded in employee collective
bargaining agreements, employment contracts, and personnel policies. In
addition, the PASD adheres to Executive Order 2020-36 and any subsequent
executive orders.
Overall Workplace Safety and Contingency Plans
While there is no specific OSHA standard covering
exposure to COVID-19, existing OSHA standards may apply to protect workers from
such exposure at work. To the extent such standards do apply to this Plan and
SISD worksites, they shall be implemented to help minimize the spread of
COVID-19. The PASD follows federal, state, and local government recommendations
regarding development of contingency plans for situations that may arise as a
result of outbreaks.
Confidentiality/Privacy
To the extent permissible and in accordance with
applicable law, the confidentiality of all medical conditions are maintained in
accordance with applicable law and to the extent practical under individual
circumstances. When disclosure is required, the number of persons informed that
an unnamed employee has tested positive is limited to those necessary to comply
with reporting requirements, administration of benefits, and to limit the
potential transmission to others. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bay-Arenac
ISD reserves the right to inform other employees and stakeholders than an
unnamed Bay-Arenac ISD employee might have been exposed to COVID-19, so those
individuals may take measures to protect their own health.
Effective Date
This plan is effective beginning June 5, 2020.
Contact Information
Should any PASD employee have questions regarding this
COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, please contact:
Kris McLavy
Business Director
mclavyk@pasd.org
989-308-0509
Michael Vieau
Superintendent of Schools
vieaum@pasd.org
989-308-0505
