Question: How can I minimize employee closeness in my lab?

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Labs and research facilities
section_headers: 3. Social distancing at work
3.3 Workplaces and workstations
section_content: Objective: To maintain social-distancing between individuals when they are at
their workstations.
Unlike offices, R&D facilities may need workers to share workstations and
equipment. If they need to be shared, they should be shared by the smallest
possible number of people.
If it is not possible to keep workstations 2m apart then businesses should
consider whether that activity needs to continue for the business to operate
and if so take all mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of
transmission.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Review layouts where possible, accepting the limitation of some lab environments.


Using floor tape or paint to mark areas to help people keep to a 2m distance.


Only where it is not possible to move workstations further apart, using screens to separate people from each other.


Only where it is not possible to move workstations further apart, arranging people to work side-by-side or facing away from each other rather than face-to-face.


Managing occupancy levels, to maintain social distancing in labs with restricted space, for example, by adapting booking systems to limit usage.


Cleaning workstations and shared equipment and machinery, where it is feasible to do so.


Limiting use of high-touch items and shared office equipment, for example, test equipment, apparatus, shared control terminals.


Ensuring appropriate air-handling and filtering systems are installed and maintained in high-risk areas where there is a risk for airborne particles.


*[R&D]: research and development

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed information about social distancing aimed specifically at lab workers.
There are lots of details about how to maintain distance and a safe workplace in a lab like environment.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Labs and research facilities
section_headers: 3. Social distancing at work
3.1 Coming to work and leaving work
section_content: Objective: To maintain social-distancing wherever possible, on arrival and
departure and to ensure handwashing upon arrival.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Staggering arrival and departure times at work to reduce crowding into and out of the workplace.


Providing additional parking or facilities such as bike racks.


Limiting passengers in corporate vehicles (for example, work minibuses). This could include leaving seats empty.


Reducing congestion, for example by having more entry points to the workplace.


Using markings and introducing one-way flow at entry and exit points.


Designating exclusive entry and exits points for personnel working in high-risk areas, such as mechanical test sites and wet labs.


Providing handwashing facilities (or hand sanitisers where not possible) at entry and exit points.


Providing alternatives to touch-based security devices such as keypads.


Providing storage for workers for clothes and bags.


Requesting staff change into work clothing and equipment on-site using appropriate facilities/changing areas, where social-distancing and hygiene guidelines can be met.


Washing lab clothing and equipment such as goggles and gloves on-site rather than by individual staff members at home.



Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has specific information for maintaining social distancing while working in a lab.
This gives good information about social distancing in a lab setting, but focuses on entering and leaving the building.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Labs and research facilities
section_headers: 3. Social distancing at work
3.5 Common areas
section_content: Objective: To maintain social-distancing while using common areas. Modern lab
and research buildings are often designed with many common areas to encourage
collaboration and networking.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Staggering break times to reduce pressure on break rooms or places to eat.


Using safe outside areas for breaks.


Creating additional space by using other parts of the worksite or building that have been freed up by remote working.


Installing screens to protect staff in receptions or similar areas.


Providing packaged meals or similar to avoid opening staff canteens.


Encouraging workers to bring their own food.


Reconfiguring seating and tables to maintain spacing and reduce face-to-face interactions.


Encouraging staff to remain on-site and, when not possible, maintaining social distancing while off-site.


Regulating use of locker rooms, changing areas and other facility areas to reduce concurrent usage.


Encouraging storage of personal items and clothing in personal storage spaces, for example lockers, during working hours.



Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed information about social distancing specifically in labs.
This specifically answers the question of labs and social distancing.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent