The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been addressing COVID-19 issues. While much of its guidance is industry or worker specific, we wanted to highlight some of its guidance applicable to a wider audience.

This week, OSHA released a new poster – Ten Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus. This poster is available in English and in Spanish.

A few weeks ago, OSHA prepared a 35-page pamphlet titled Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. This document helps workplaces with topics such as developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan; basic infection prevention measures; identification and isolation of sick people if appropriate; and workplace controls (including possible use of PPE) based upon a worker’s risk.

The guidance is just that – guidance. Much of it is very good, but we all know the science and what we know or think we know about COVID-19 remains fluid. Because workplaces still need to plan for various contingencies, we recommend this as a resource. There are good ideas in this pamphlet which may help you whether you are beginning or re-tooling your plans.

If you need more information about your specific workers, your workplace, or overall compliance with OSHA requirements during this pandemic, you can access OSHA’s designated COVID-19 webpage here.

By Kristen L. Brightmire, kbrightmire@dsda.com