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Leadership has approved movement into Phase 3b
Expanded Re-Entry - In Phase 3b of the re-entry process, State and County guidelines have allowed the reopening of most/all businesses. Physical distancing is still in practice at all TID facilities and work sites. More employees are returning to District facilities and transitioning from telework. Formal guidelines for a telecommuting option are developed and individual employee situations are considered. (Italicized text indicates changes from previous phase.)
PHASE 3b PROTOCOLS
Employees
• Customer Service windows and building lobbies are open on a limited basis with strict adherence to occupancy limits and physical distancing. • De-centralized crews of essential staff operating on modified rotations. • The remainder of those telecommuting return to the office (employees returning from telecommuting may be rotated to allow for physical distancing).
Facility Access and Entry/Exit of Buildings
• All lobbies at all locations are closed to the public. Customer Service begin receiving customers by appointment, with strict adherence to occupancy limits and physical distancing. • All employees who have been away from a TID facility or worksite for more than 24 hours will be asked to complete a screening questionnaire prior to re-entering a TID facility. (Questionnaire is available via the Go Canvas app.) • Staff to use designated employee entrance. • Specific entry/exit doors may be assigned by Department. • Cleaning wipes and towels are located at employee entrance door to utilize when opening. • Hand sanitizers located directly inside employee entrance. • Staff accessing the locker room at Broadway, is instructed to use exterior vestibule door only. • De-centralized crews are instructed not to enter the Broadway Yard facility, except for essential purposes, approved by their Department Manager. • Temperature checks are implemented only where required by county order. • Board Meetings resume with the public to participate via web conferencing.
Use of Facility
• Physical distancing is practiced at all times in common area and shared spaces (kitchens, elevator, restrooms, hallways, etc.). • Face coverings are required when physical distancing cannot be practiced safely. • All facility rentals and tours of facilities are suspended. • Internal in-person meetings are not to exceed 10 people. A web conferencing option will be required for all meetings (even within the same facility). • No in-person meetings with external consultants. • All group trainings and meetings are held virtually, when possible. • Disinfect common items before and after use (copiers, fuel station, etc.).
MANAGING ILLNESS AND EXPOSURE
Employees are to immediately report any illness, or if they have been in contact with anyone that is sick. Follow the 6-15-48 rule: If you have been within 6 feet of someone who is sick or symptomatic, for 15 minutes or more, within 48 hours of a person showing symptoms or falling ill, please take appropriate precautions and report the exposure to your Supervisor. You will be screened, and may be asked to self-quarantine, once the level of exposure is determined. If you become sick, you will be required to self-quarantine for up to a period of 14 days after no longer exhibiting symptoms. If we determine that a sick or symptomatic employee has been in or at a TID facility, proper notification will be made to everyone the employee has been in contact with and all affected employees will be asked to selfquarantine. Any employee who answers “yes” to the screening questions or has symptoms is screened by a screening agent to determine next steps. TID has secured a relationship with physicians to conduct web-based health assessments for employees.
Refer to signage, outside of and around TID facilities to identify the correct routes for movement within common areas and areas that are restricted to by department. Consult your Manager on guidelines specific to your department or crew.
Facility Modifications and Cleaning
• Increased cleaning and sanitizing in the areas in which employees are working. • Hand sanitizers are placed throughout facilities. • Cleaning supplies and personal hand sanitizers distributed to employees working within a facility, as well as to field staff.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Physical Distancing
• Personal Protective Equipment (masks, face coverings, gloves) is available to all employees. Ask your supervisor for the PPE you need. • Masks/face coverings are required in work situations that do not allow for social distancing.
Outside Vendors/Deliveries
• Vendors, contractors, and consultants are brought back on a case-by-case basis as determined by District need. • All vendors/contractors and consultants on-site at
TID facilities must complete a vendor screening form. (Screening form available on the Grid.) • Deliveries are not routed from the warehouse to other
TID facilities. If the collection of a package is necessary, a pick-up must be scheduled with the warehouse. • Mail is delivery is increased to reflect additional staff at
TID facilities.
Field-Based Work
• Essential field employees report directly to the job site or assigned de-centralized meeting location. • Briefings and meetings are conducted virtually, when possible. • Social distancing is practiced and appropriate PPE is to be worn when working with customers in the field. • If personnel report directly to a field location or decentralized starting point, schedule needed materials to be delivered or stagger pickup times at the warehouse. • Crews using common vehicles/equipment are responsible for sanitizing at the beginning and end of shifts. • Essential site visits must be approved by an AGM.
Business Travel
• All essential and non-essential business travel (including conferences and meetings outside the District) requires
AGM approval. • If an employee travels to an area with an increased presence of COVID-19 or if they believe they have been exposed, a self-assessment and/or self-quarantine are required.
Engagement with Customers
• Customer Service windows and building lobbies are open on a limited basis with strict adherence to occupancy limits and physical distancing. • Customer Service representatives remain available to assist customers over the phone and via email. • Social distancing is practiced and appropriate PPE is worn when working with customers in the field.
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CRITERIA FOR EXITING PHASE 3b AND MOVING INTO PHASE 4
Ability to perform essential and critical work and provide service to our customers. Incidence rate and activity in area is in decline and/or CDC has removed COVID-19 from pandemic status. Incidence rate and activity amongst TID employees remains zero. Completed facility enhancements and availability of necessary supplies. Leadership has approved movement into Phase 4.
Unrestricted - In Phase 4 of the re-entry process, State and County guidelines have allowed the reopening of all businesses and TID facilities are again open to near pre-pandemic occupancy. Physical distancing requirements are removed and all staff may enter the building. Customers, consultants and other external guests are again permitted, as appropriate, in District facilities. (Italicized text indicates changes from previous phase.)
PHASE 4 PROTOCOLS
Employees
• Customer Service windows and building lobbies are open with adherence to occupancy limits and physical distancing. • Essential staff return to pre-pandemic schedules. • The remainder of those telecommuting return to the office. • Formal protocols are in place for those who appeal to continue to telecommute.
Facility Access and Entry/Exit of Buildings
• TID facilities are open to pre-pandemic levels. • Hand sanitizers continue to be available. • Signage indicating COVID-19 related protocols are removed. • In-person Board Meetings resume and are accessible to public. • Outside rental of facilities resumes.
Use of Facility
• All facility rentals and tours of facilities are resumed. • Internal in-person meetings are no longer limited to a specific number of attendees, but web conferencing option offered. • In-person meetings with external consultants resume. • All group trainings and meetings are held in-person with a virtual option. • No restrictions on movement within facilities.
Facility Modifications and Cleaning
• Increased cleaning and sanitizing in the areas in which employees are working. • Hand sanitizers are placed throughout facilities. • Cleaning supplies and personal hand sanitizers distributed to employees working within a facility, as well as to field staff.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Physical Distancing
• Personal Protective Equipment (masks, face coverings, gloves) is available to all employees.
Outside Vendors/Deliveries
• Vendors, contractors, and consultants resume work and meetings at District facilities. • No restrictions on deliveries.
MANAGING ILLNESS AND EXPOSURE
Employees are to immediately report any illness, or if they have been in contact with anyone that is sick. Follow the 6-15-48 rule: If you have been within 6 feet of someone who is sick or symptomatic, for 15 minutes or more, within 48 hours of a person showing symptoms or falling ill, please take appropriate precautions and report the exposure to your Supervisor. You will be screened, and may be asked to self-quarantine, once the level of exposure is determined. If you become sick, you will be required to self-quarantine for up to a period of 14 days after no longer exhibiting symptoms. If we determine that a sick or symptomatic employee has been in or at a TID facility, proper notification will be made to everyone the employee has been in contact with and all affected employees will be asked to selfquarantine. Any employee who answers “yes” to the screening questions or has symptoms is screened by a screening agent to determine next steps. TID has secured a relationship with physicians to conduct web-based health assessments for employees.
Field-Based Work
• Field-based work returns to pre-pandemic protocols.
Business Travel
• Business travel resumes, but the use of web conferencing is strongly encouraged.
Engagement with Customers
• Customer Service windows and building lobbies are open. • Customer Service representatives remain available to assist customers over the phone and via email. • In-person meetings with external customers resume.
CLOSING
Businesses of all types are re-opening. Unlike these businesses, TID never closed. Yes, we closed our lobbies to the public, but our customers have always had access to our Customer Service Representatives for questions and assistance, and we continue to meet their needs at an impressive level.
We have developed our re-entry plan to be rolled out in phases. It includes the safety measures we have implemented from the beginning, as well as those added more recently, including the re-entry screening process, facility modifications, and the creation of new procedures like holding virtual meetings, even when in the office. During the Town Hall on July 6, we introduced and answered questions about the plan and its implementation.
TID is an essential service provider and we bear a responsibility to continue to provide safe and reliable water and power. It is imperative that we have a team available to provide those services. As we have from the beginning, TID makes its re-entry determinations based on two criteria: 1. Are our employees healthy and safe? 2. Are we able to fulfill our responsibility to provide essential services while maintaining a high level of customer service?
So long as we can continue to answer yes to both of these criteria, there is no reason to rush into an uncertain future. We will not risk employee safety and our ability to provide essential services. TID’s re-entry plan is detailed, and well-thought out and we will not hesitate to move back a phase for the safety of our employees and because the community is depending on us.
We continue to evaluate the critical needs of the District and the community we serve. We plan for the future and implement the changes that will become our new normal. We remain vigilant in our efforts to reduce exposure and keep each other safe. We will persevere. We Are TID.
