The suitability and usability of a tool to assess contact status from COVID-19 exposures in the workplace

Abstract

Objective: To assess the usability of a self-assessment COVID-19 exposure tool for workplaces. Methods: A COVID-19 exposure tool for workplaces was developed using five risk criteria. Public Health Unit (PHU) assessors who administered the tool documented when they administered the tool, the time taken for finalisation of the assessment and ease of administration. The System Usability Scale was used for workplace managers’ perceptions on tool use. Data were assessed using both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results: Eighty-four workplaces used the tool to assess COVID-19 exposure risk. Of those, the outcome provided by the tool did not require modification by the PHU assessor in 70% of workplaces. Eighty per cent of the assessments were completed by the next day. PHU assessors rated the overall ease of administration of the tool as ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’ for 85% of workplaces and indicated they would employ the tool across a number of settings including complex workplaces. The mean System Usability Scale was 82. Workplace managers were predominately positive regarding its suitability. Conclusion: The tool provides an easy-to-use assessment of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the workplace. Implications for public health: The tool’s adoption will empower workplace managers and improve the capacity of public health units to prevent further transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in workplaces.