Banking on safe operations

As COVID-19 continues to evolve causing a ripple effect across the world, individuals and businesses are grappling with the risks of business continuity and how to respond to uncertainty. While some companies are temporarily ceasing operations, others are adapting and rethinking their delivery models; especially companies that are considered essential, such as financial institutions.

Businesses that are deemed essential and critical infrastructure are expected to remain operable and maintain a high degree of resilience in the face of potential disasters and emergencies. Financial institutions are deemed critical for several reasons – one component being their large impact on the economy. In 2018, finance and insurance markets represented 7.4 percent or $1.5 trillion of US gross domestic product.

Imagine not having access to your bank. With the shift to digital and online banking in recent years, it might be easy to lose sight of the individuals whose hard work enables these institutions to function. The employees at these essential institutions uphold important operations, so it is imperative for them to be able to work in a safe environment.

Wood is proud to partner, support and uphold critical infrastructure and industries in their greatest times of need. We are currently advising a large United States financial institution regarding their industrial hygiene protocol and procedures to ensure the highest standards, employees feel safe going to work and essential operations can continue with minimal interruption.

With thousands of banking centers across the United States seeing nearly 1 million patrons per day, our client requires assistance managing risks and potential challenges that could arise with geographic spread of the virus including vendor coordination, communication among internal departments, a scarce supply chain, workforce locations and a clear understanding of which sites need to be open and operating. Our work includes reviewing and overseeing implementation of innovative technologies that could prevent employee exposure to the coronavirus. As changes are made to contingency plans, our expert team also considers the legal and regulatory implications, which include hazard communication, reporting and recordkeeping, training and personal protective equipment (PPE).

With information changing daily and the epicenters of the disease evolving rapidly, Wood’s team of industrial hygienists, safety specialists, risk assessors, toxicologists, and other professionals are taking an agile and proactive approach to receiving and assessing the latest information. Staying in constant contact with key health organizations like the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), maintaining information flow, implementing guidance and ensuring regulatory alignment.

During this unprecedented time, Wood’s care, commitment and courage towards our clients and employees alike remains strong. For more information on our industrial hygiene expertise, visit here.