OSHA COVID-19 information
The CDC’s COVID-19 website contains general information about the pandemic. OSHA has created its own site dedicated to the COVID-19 outbreak. It covers your important responsibilities as a business owner to provide a safe working environment.
The site explains applicable OSHA standards for COVID-19 that may apply, including personal protective equipment (PPE) standards, respiratory protection, and record-keeping requirements for workers who become infected as a result of performing their work-related duties. Many of OSHA’s resources are also available in Spanish on the site.
OSHA recommends developing a written COVID-19 prevention plan for your workplace. Regardless of the size of your business, having a COVID-19 prevention playbook is critical. Use it to reference and maximize your efforts in identifying key responsibilities, procedures, and employee expectations for social distancing, cleaning workspaces, and reducing transmission. You can find helpful tips on what should be included in your prevention plan in this document.
As you determine your employees’ level of risk for infection from COVID-19, OSHA has also issued guidance on workplace control and prevention and how to properly wear a respirator to maximize your protection.
COVID-19 recordkeeping at your business
OSHA has introduced interim guidance for businesses on how to comply with the recordkeeping standard surrounding COVID-19. Employers are required to record and report employee COVID-19 cases if they meet the following criteria:
- An employee has a medically confirmed positive COVID-19 test
- There is objective evidence suggesting the employee was infected at work
- The case involves the general reporting criteria for a recordable incident (treatment beyond first aid, days away from work, hospitalization, and death)
You can find a complete summary of this information here.
Review this site regularly to make sure OSHA’s recommendations haven’t changed. If you’re located in a state with an OSHA-approved plan, there may be additional information on worker protection and compliance requirements.
If you have questions, please reach out to your assigned safety consultant or account manager, or contact us if we can be of further assistance.
