Question: What steps can be taken in laboratory common areas to maintain social distancing?

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Labs and research facilities
section_headers: 3. Social distancing at work
3.2 Moving around buildings and worksites
section_content: Objective: To maintain social-distancing wherever possible, while people
travel through the workplace.
Steps that will usually be needed:


Reducing movement by discouraging non-essential trips within buildings and sites, for example, restricting access to some areas, and encouraging use of radios or telephones, where permitted, and cleaning them between use.


Removing access controls on low category labs so that people do not have to use access cards.


Restricting access between different areas of a building or site, if possible.


Using fixed teams or adjusting booking processes to reduce the number of people in a lab at the same time to avoid overcrowding.


Introducing more one-way flow through buildings, paying particular attention to long corridors which can be more common in laboratory buildings.


Reducing maximum occupancy for lifts, providing hand sanitiser for the operation of lifts and encouraging use of stairs wherever possible.


Making sure that people with disabilities are able to access lifts.


Regulating use of high traffic areas including corridors, lifts, turnstiles and walkways to maintain social-distancing.



Example lift practices.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Clearly describes steps that should be taken for effective social distancing specifically in labs.
This answer relates to general information about common work areas, although does not specifically outline laboratories.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable

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 maintaining social distancing specifically in labs.
This answer fully relates to the setting of a laboratory and how that setting can maintain social distancing.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Labs and research facilities
section_headers: 3. Social distancing at work
3.6 Accidents, security and other incidents
section_content: Objective: To prioritise safety during incidents.
In an emergency, for example, a chemical spill, fire or break-in, people do
not have to stay 2m apart if it would be unsafe.
People involved in the provision of assistance to others should pay particular
attention to sanitation measures immediately afterwards, including washing
hands.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has a specific piece of advice about social distancing in lab, though it's very narrow in scope.
This answer does not relate to the question of how to moderate common areas in a lab to maintain social distancing.

Reviewer ratings:
Acceptable
Bad