During the pandemic, did you close your office space or buildings, or did your workers or tenants temporarily vacate them to work at home? The reopening of the office started quickly, and more is just around the corner. Now it is time to consider what needs to be done before reopening the workspace. Prolonged shutdown may cause unknown health and safety risks. Before reopening the office building for work, these are some potential hazards that commercial property owners, managers and tenants should check.

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1. Check the mold

Mold spreads in the dark. That is an accurate description of most enclosed office spaces. Poor air circulation can cause mold to grow. It allows the spores to settle, making it more difficult for moisture from humidity and other sources to evaporate.

Mold can cause allergic reactions and short-term and long-term respiratory problems. Asthma patients are especially susceptible to asthma.

At least visual inspection of mold in various areas of the building is required. If the heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are disabled, please consider asking professionals to inspect those systems that are prone to mold when not in use. If there are leaks, water damage, or other signs of dampness, you can also consider calling a professional.

2. Check for rodents and pests

Rodents, pests and their waste can carry diseases or cause respiratory diseases, not to mention the disturbing experience of seeing pests roaming around in halls or corners. In buildings with pest problems, employees, tenants, and customers are unlikely to be welcomed.

Before you start cleaning, check for signs of pests, such as feces, shredded paper or other nesting materials. Check for holes in the wall or container. If you suspect that there may be pests, you may wish to ask a pest control expert for help.

3. Flushing water system

Although your water system should normally be sealed, Legionella and other bacteria can enter through small leaks and will grow when the system is not in use. Depending on the plumbing condition of the building, the water may become unsafe if the water is not used for a few days, weeks or months.

Before reopening, open the water throughout the building to completely replace the water in the pipe. Clean the faucet and other external surfaces, as well as any filters or pumps that normally require maintenance.

4. When restarting the HVAC system, follow the new construction guidelines

If your HVAC system has been completely shut down instead of operating with reduced capacity, please pay attention or ask the contractor whether to follow Standard specification for inspection and maintenance of HVAC systems in commercial buildings. The purpose is to check for mold, dust and other contaminants that may enter the system when the system is shut down to prevent damage to the system.

5. Provides increased air circulation

One of the main factors to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to increase air circulation and introduce outside air. This spreads the airborne virus particles that can accumulate in the room.

If possible, set up the building so that the doors and windows remain open. This may include installing screens to prevent errors or safety bars to prevent falls. When improving air circulation, pay attention to external risks, such as carbon monoxide, pollen or other pollutants from roads or cargo holds.

Many heating and cooling systems only recirculate indoor air, and the filters are not strong enough to remove viruses such as COVID-19. The air exchange system can help replace indoor air with fresh outdoor air while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.

6. Identify and mitigate high-risk areas

Before the end of COVID-19, risks will still increase in crowded areas such as meeting rooms, cafeterias, changing rooms, elevators and main entrances. If space is available due to remote work or less occupation, consider expanding to these areas to improve physical distance. Occupancy restrictions may also be required.

For employee workspaces, you may need to make adjustments. This might include separating tables, tables facing each other, or installing physical barriers.

7. Add cleaning protocol

In many work spaces, only the bathroom is cleaned daily, while most other areas need to be cleaned locally or regularly. Consider cleaning all contact points and surfaces daily or more frequently. You may also want to place disinfectant sprays or wipes in the shared staff space for easy access.

When you reopen, please consider whether you should address any of these needs Commercial lease protocol.If you are concerned about potential liability issues or amend the lease, please contact Rocket Lawyer on call_® lawyer Affordable legal advice.

This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm, nor is it a lawyer or a substitute for a law firm. The law is complex and changes frequently.Seek legal advice Ask a lawyer.