OSHA Offers Guidelines for Virus Workplace Issues

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published online a 35-page “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” that suggests how companies should deal with absenteeism, changes in patterns of commerce and interrupted supply chains.

OSHA emphasizes its recommendations are guidelines, not regulations. The downloadable PDF lists steps employers can take to reduce workers’ risk of exposure to COVID-19, the disease spread by the coronavirus, beginning with developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan.

The federal agency lists policies and procedures for prompt identification and isolation of sick people. It suggests implementing workforce flexibilities, protections and controls. These include engineering controls such as installing high-efficiency air filters and installing physical barriers such as clear plastic sneeze guards.

Suggested administrative controls are also listed in the publication as well as safe work practices and information about personal protective equipment.

OSHA also classifies the exposure risk according to job classifications and specifies controls for each.

To download “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19,” CLICK HERE.

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