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Pandemic Operations Survey Summary

April 09, 2020 10:35 AM | Deleted user

By Sarah Kirkle

TWCA This week TWCA staff surveyed members to better understand how organizations are implementing telework and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols. We received 52 responses, 73% of which were government organizations. To obtain the raw data and full comments, contact Sarah Kirkle.

All Respondents

1. Which of the following best describes your type of organization:

a. Government entity- 38

b. Private business- 12


2. Is your organization currently utilizing telecommuting or work from home?


3. If yes for some staff, which staff must report to an office?

a. Operational or field staff- 10

b. Non-operational or office staff- 0 

c. Other– 9 The respondents requiring some staff have jobs that cannot be performed at home. Respondents indicated use of skeleton crews or staggered shifts to minimize exposure to staff.

4. If yes for some staff or no in #1, please elaborate why: 

a. Essential personnel work in the field- 23

b. Lack of broadband or other technical ability to perform job at home- 0 

c. Other– 5 These respondents indicated use of skeleton crews or staggered shifts to minimize exposure to staff.

5. Has your organization instituted protocols requiring personal protective equipment(PPE), such as masks or gloves?

a. Yes - 18

b. No – 32

6. If yes, have you required masks for:

a. Field staff- 9

b. Office staff- 2

c. All staff– 6


7. If yes have you required gloves for:

a. Operational or field staff- 9

b. Non-operational or office staff- 3

c. All staff– 2

8. Has your organization had trouble obtaining PPE (masks or gloves)?

a. Yes – 15

b. No – 21

c. Other -13These respondents indicated PPE is not necessary for the job or PPE is a little difficult to obtain but the organizations have been resourceful.

For those struggling to obtain PPE, masks are by far the most difficult to obtain, followed by gloves and wipes.


9. Does your organization have guidance or plans related to PPE use:

a. in the retail space with utility and lab customers where in person contact and exchange of materials occur at an administrative and/or operations facility? 7

b. internally where social distancing cannot be operationally achieved? 8

c. for operations employees who may interact with the public in the field (engineering, inspectors, meter reader, etc)? 21

Organizations’ overall approaches largely stick to CDC guidelines for social distancing, use of PPE, and minimizing interactions with the public and other employees, and disinfecting offices or shared spaces.

Only Government Organizations

1. Is your organization currently utilizing telecommuting or work from home?

a. Yes, for all staff – 12

b. Yes, for some staff - 17

c. No - 9


2. If yes for some staff, which staff must report to an office?

a. Operational or field staff- 10

b. Non-operational or office staff- 0

c. Other- 7

3. Follow up if yes for some staff or no in #1 (Multiple choice): Please elaborate why: 

a. Essential personnel work in the field- 21

b. Lack of broadband or other technical ability to perform job at home- 0 

c. Other (comment box)- 3

4. Has your organization instituted protocols requiring personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks or gloves?

a. Yes - 15

b. No – 22


5. If yes, have you required masks for:

a. Field staff- 6

b. Office staff- 2

c. All staff– 6


6. If yes have you required gloves for:

a. Operational or field staff- 7

b. Non-operational or office staff- 2

c. All staff– 2


7. Has your organization had trouble obtaining PPE (masks or gloves)?

a. Yes – 14

b. No – 16

c. Other -6

8. Does your organization have guidance or plans related to PPE use:

a. in the retail space with utility and lab customers where in person contact and exchange of materials occur at an administrative and/or operations facility? 6

b. internally where social distancing cannot be operationally achieved? 7

c. for operations employees who may interact with the public in the field (engineering inspectors, meter reader, etc)? 15

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