COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan

On June 3, 2020 the PA Department of Education (PDE) announced a modified state policy to permit colleges, universities, seminaries, trade schools, and adult basic education programs in counties designated as yellow to resume limited, in-person instruction. Postsecondary education institutions choosing to resume any of the in-person operations permitted during the various phases of PA’s reopening plan are required to create their own Health and Safety Plan, or its equivalent, and make that plan available to the public before proceeding to resume in-person instruction, operations, services, and activities.

We encourage all members and attendees to read the Health and Safety Plan thoroughly. The protocols in this policy are in alignment with PA Department of Education Preliminary Guidance for Resuming InPerson Instruction at Postsecondary Education Institutions and Adult Education Programs. This guidance is informed by what is currently known about COVID-19 and incorporates existing federal/state public health and safety recommendations directed at postsecondary institutions. It should also be noted that this guidance may change as new information becomes available. Lastly, it is imperative to point out that the PA guidance was informed by input and feedback from institutional leaders representing all sectors and regions of the commonwealth’s postsecondary landscape.

The following is an Overview of Allowable Instruction, Operations, Services, and Activities at Postsecondary Education Institutions and Adult Basic Education Programs by Phases Corresponding to Pennsylvania’s Phased Reopening Plan.

Facility Changes

  • Class sizes reduced by 50%
  • Classroom changes
    • Limit one person per 4’ desk.
    • Additional spacing between classroom desks.
    • Added wall and floor signage.
    • Attendance and other sign-in procedures will be conducted verbally.
  • Lab changes
    • Separate work stations created (6ft x 6ft).
    • Added wall and floor signage.
  • Other building changes
    • Bathroom usage will be limited to two people at any given time.
  • One hand sanitizer station will be added to each room.
  • Instructors and staff will refill as needed.
  • Training center will be professionally cleaned and disinfected on a nightly basis. Specific focus on common touch points and high traffic areas.
  • Trash will be emptied on a nightly basis.
  • Nightly cleaning logs will be kept and accessible upon request.

Attendee Protocols

  • Face masks required
    • Attendees will be required to wear a face masks while in the classroom or lab.
    • Face masks will not be required during lunch and break periods.
    • It is recommended attendees bring their own face mask.
    • PPA/PPATEC will provide face masks when necessary.
  • Gloves required for all hands-on training activities
    • PPA/PPATEC will provide gloves for attendees.
  • Hand Washing
    • A CDC step-by-step procedure for proper hand washing has been placed in the bathrooms.
    • All students, instructors and guest instructors are expected to follow the CDC practice anytime they use the bathroom facility.
  • Sanitizer Stations
    • Will be available in each room.
    • Attendees are encouraged to use as much as possible.
  • Disinfectant Procedures
    • Each attendee will receive their own personal disinfectant spray bottle and towel to keep at their desk.
    • Attendees will be asked to disinfect their desk when they arrive each morning and when they leave each afternoon.
    • Additional use of disinfectant spray throughout the day is encouraged at attendee discretion.
  • Written & Verbal Screening
    • Signage will be installed at the entrance of the building to prohibit any individual who is not feeling well from entering the building.
    • At the beginning of each class the instructor will review the COVID-19 symptoms with attendees. Instructors will verbally ask anyone that experiences one of symptoms to immediately take a temperature check.
      • Fever or chills
      • Cough
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • Fatigue
      • Muscle or body aches
      • Headache
      • New loss of taste or smell
      • Sore throat
      • Congestion or runny nose
      • Nausea or vomiting
      • Diarrhea
  • Temperature Checks
    • A contactless infrared thermometer will be available onsite.
    • A temperature check be performed if an attendee indicates they are experiencing one of the symptoms listed above.
    • The instructor may ask an attendee to perform a temperature check at his/her discretion throughout the duration of the class.
    • In the event a student has temperature of at least 100.4 degrees they will be sent home immediately.
    • No student will be permitted to return without written consent from a medical doctor.
  • PPA/PPATEC must be notified of any individual who is or has been on-site while infected with COVID-19 or any communicable disease by email (training@papetroleum.org) or by phone (717) 603-4733.
  • Any area visited by an infected person will be closed off and ventilated. After the recommended 24-hour waiting period, the area will be comprehensively cleaned and disinfected.
  • Individuals found to be ill with COVID-19 or any communicable disease while on-site but whom are unable to leave the building immediately for any reason will be quarantined in a private room until they are able to exit the facility.
  • Persons who had come in contact with an infected person while on campus, within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes, will be notified of possible exposure and asked to remain off campus until tested as virus free, cleared by their doctor, or symptom free for 14 days.
  • PPA/PPATEC will coordinate with local public health officials to communicate necessary information about any COVID-19 transmission.
  • Attendees will receive a copy of the Health and Safety Plan prior to attending the class. The instructor will review the Health and Safety Plan with attendees prior to beginning the class. The instructor will also review items specific to the building (signage, entry, exit, etc). Attendees will be asked to sign documentation stating they understand the expectations required of them throughout the duration of the class.
  • Attendees will be permitted to one person per desk. Attendee will be required to keep all materials at their desk throughout the class unless told otherwise by the instructor. This includes personal belongings, PPA/PPATEC issued equipment, and any other class material.
  • In some circumstances class sizes may be reduced if needed through rotational schedules, use of additional classrooms, enhanced remote education for theoretical portions of curriculum, and other means to limit class size.
  • The back of the classroom has been temporally designated as and exit door from the facility. The door students and instructor use to enter the facility should not be used as an exit unless for emergency purposes.
  • Work areas in the lab will identified with floor tape providing a 6ft distance between each station. Students will be expected to stay within their work area during each activity. They should not enter another work area until the instructor has confirmed that area has been cleaned and sanitized.
  • Tool kits will be provided to each student, and should remain with that student for the duration of any given program. Students will be instructed, that when they are not using them in the lab, that they bring them back into the classroom and leave them at their assigned table.
  • Hands-on workbench activities in the lab will be very limited, while we are still in the yellow phase.
  • At the end of any program held, and before the next program begins, the instructor will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing the tool kits.
  • Lunch will remain as a provided service for each class. PPA/PPATEC will serve individually packaged lunches for attendees.
  • Students are encouraged to eat their lunch outside (weather permitting) or in their vehicle.
  • Attendees are prohibited from leaving the premises during any designated lunch or break time.
  • All students will receive their own personal water bottle that can refilled at our touchless water cooler. The use of the water fountain portion will be turned off, and will not be used until current guidelines suggest otherwise.

PPA/PPATEC has reviewed the health and safety plans of our off-site hosted locations, we expect all attendees to adhere to these plans as read within this document for off-site locations.