Salem Public Works Precautions

Salem Public Works Department Takes Steps to Limit the Spread of COVID-19

The following was directed to all Public Works employees on March 19, 2020

POSTED ON: MARCH 20, 2020 - 9:30AM

In an effort to keep all Public Works employees and the public safe and healthy, the following guidelines will be implemented until further notice.  We will continue to perform all safety sensitive tasks.  There are several common sense changes that we have temporarily implemented and want to share with all to help you understand our efforts to protect employees and citizens:

Employees with an illness are being required to stay home.

Limiting face-to-face contact with the public as much as reasonably possible.

Practicing “social distancing” in an attempt to not spread germs. This social distancing will be approximately 6’.  Utilize soap and water to clean hands and disinfect common surfaces.

Shaking hands or physical contact should be avoided.  Please understand this is not anything personal and is simply a precautionary procedure.

Entering a home is at the employees discretion, and is encouraged to be limited.  As always, safe practices are mandated.

Complimentary pilot lighting of appliances is being suspended.

Service personnel have been instructed to only enter a home for a leak investigation if the resident allows it and provides verbal confirmation that no one inside is ill.  If personnel cannot enter to investigate for any reason and the meter half-foot hand is turning, the meter will be shut off to protect the customer.

In an effort to facilitate access and minimize delays, we will provide advance notification, if possible, when we will be on-site to perform regulatory activities.

If you have any questions, or feel you are in a questionable situation, please let me or Annette know prior to proceeding.

John W. Pruden, Public Works Director