The SASSI Institute, (hereinafter “Company”) takes the health and safety of our employees very seriously.  With the spread of COVID-19, the Company must remain vigilant in mitigating the outbreak.  The Company is committed to helping people who suffer from substance use problems and the professionals who serve them. In order to be safe as we reopen operations, we have developed this COVID-19 Exposure, Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan.  Of course, the Company will continue to monitor the related guidance that CDC and OSHA provide. For our purposes:

1. Responsibilities of Employer/Manager/Supervisor – Management must set a good example by following this Plan at all times. This involves practicing good personal hygiene, office safety practices and Management must display and encourage this same behavior from all employees.

2. Responsibilities of Employees – The Company is asking every one of our employees to help with our prevention efforts while at work.  As set forth below, the Company has instituted various housekeeping, social distancing, and other best practices while in the office.  In addition to following best practices, employees are expected to report to their supervisor or Human Resources if they are experiencing signs or symptoms of COVID-19, as described below:

• • Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol (we have provided ample supplies of each).
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Follow appropriate respiratory etiquette, which includes covering all coughs and sneezes (preferably not in your hands).
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick (in all cases the 6-foot rule whenever possible).
  • Familiarize yourself with COVID-19 symptoms:
    • • Coughing
      • Fever
      • Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
      • Early symptoms such as chills, body aches, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and runny nose.

If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, DO NOT GO TO WORK and call your supervisor or human resources and healthcare provider right away. Do the same thing if you come into close contact with someone showing these symptoms.

3. Office Protective Measures – The Company has instituted the following protective measures in the workplace.

A. General Safety Policies and Rules

• • • Any employee/contractor/visitor showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to leave the office and return home.
    • All in-person meetings will be limited. To the extent possible, meetings will be conducted by telephone.  During any in-person meetings, avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people and participants must remain at least six (6) feet apart.
    • Employees must avoid physical contact with others and shall direct others (coworkers/contractors/visitors) to increase personal space to at least six (6) feet, where possible).
    • Employees will be encouraged to stagger breaks and lunches, if practicable, to reduce the size of any group at any one time to less than ten (10) people.
    • The Company will provide access to running water and soap for hand washing as well as disinfecting wipes in all restrooms. In addition, the Company will provide, if available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and/or wipes for use in their individual offices/workspaces.
    • Employees should limit the use of co-worker’s office supplies and equipment. To the extent these must be shared, the Company will provide alcohol-based wipes to clean them before and after use.
    • The Company will cross-train where possible so that projects can continue working effectively in the event that an individual/s is required to quarantine.
    • In lieu of using a common source of drinking water, such as a cooler, employees should use individual water bottles.

B. Contractors/visitors entering Building

• • • The number of visitors to the office, will be limited to only those necessary for work duties.
    • All visitors will be screened in advance of arriving. If the visitor answers “yes” to any of the following questions, he/she should not be permitted to access the office:
      1. 1. Have you been confirmed positive for COVID-19?
         2. Are you currently experiencing, or recently experienced, any acute respiratory illness symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath?
         3. Have you been in close contact with any persons who has been confirmed positive for COVID-19?
         4. Have you been in close contact with any persons who have traveled and are also exhibiting acute respiratory illness symptoms

As per protocol, site deliveries will be permitted. But as always, properly coordinated in line with the employer’s social distancing protocols.

C. Personal Protective Equipment and Work Practice Controls

• • • In addition to regular PPE for workers engaged in various tasks, the Company will also provide: Disposable Face Masks and Gloves.

4. Workplace Cleaning and Disinfecting

The Company has instituted regular housekeeping practices, which include cleaning and disinfecting frequently used areas and equipment, and other elements of the work environment, where possible.  Employees should regularly do the same and maintain these practices within their assigned work areas.

• • • The break/lunchroom area will be cleaned on a regular basis.
    • Any trash collected from the office will be changed regularly by someone wearing PPE.
    • The Company will ensure that any disinfection shall be conducted using one of the following:
      • • Common EPA-registered household disinfectant;
        • Alcohol solution with at least 60% alcohol; or
        • Diluted household bleach solutions (if appropriate for the surface).

5. Workplace Exposure Situations

Employee Exhibits COVID-19 Symptoms – If an employee exhibits COVID-19 symptom/s, the employee must remain at home until he or she is symptom-free for 72 hours (3 full days) without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g., cough suppressants).  The Company will similarly require an employee who reports to work with symptoms to return home until he or she is symptom free for 72 hours (3 full days).

Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19 – An employee who tests positive for COVID-19 will be directed to self-quarantine away from work.  Employees that test positive and are symptom free may return to work when at least seven (7) days have passed since the date of his or her first positive test, and have not had a subsequent illness.  Employees who test positive and are directed to care for themselves at home may return to work when: (1) at least 72 hours (3 full days) have passed since recovery; and (2) at least seven 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.  Employees who test positive and have been hospitalized may return to work when directed to do so by their medical care providers.  The Company will require an employee to provide documentation clearing his or her return to work.

Employee Has Close Contact with an Individual Who Has Tested Positive for COVID-19 – If such is the case, employee will be directed to self-quarantine for 14 days from the last date of close contact with that individual.  Close contact is defined as six (6) feet for a prolonged period of time.

If the Company learns that an employee has tested positive, the Company will conduct an investigation to determine co-workers who may have had close contact with the employee in the prior 14 days and direct those individuals to self-quarantine for 14 days from the last date of close contact with that employee.  If applicable, the Company will also notify any sub-contractors, vendors/suppliers or visitors who may have had close contact with the confirmed-positive employee. If an employee learns that he or she has come into close contact with a confirmed positive individual outside of the workplace, he/she must alert his/her supervisor or human resources and self-quarantine for 14 days from the last date of close contact with that individual.

6. Confidentiality/Privacy – Except for circumstances in which the Company is legally required to report workplace occurrences of communicable disease, as always, the confidentiality of all medical conditions will be maintained in accordance with applicable law and to the extent practical under the circumstances.  When it is required, the number of persons who will be informed will be kept to the minimum needed to comply with reporting requirements while limiting the potential for transmission to others.  The Company reserves the right to inform other employees that an unnamed co-worker has been diagnosed with COVID-19 if the other employees might have been exposed, so the employees may take proper measures to protect their own health. The Company also reserves the right to inform sub-contractors, vendors/suppliers or visitors that an unnamed employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19 if they might have been exposed, so those individuals likewise may take measures to protect their own health.

7. General Questions – Given the fast-developing nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Company may modify this Plan on a case by case basis as needed.  If you have any questions concerning this Plan, please contact Human Resources at hr@sassi.com.