OSHA Issues New Guidance for COVID-19 in the Workplace
January 29, 2021, OSHA issued new guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The new guidance provides a comprehensive description of workplace COVID issues and best practices. It is a good resource for employers with questions regarding managing COVID-19 in the workplace. The guidance is advisory in nature and creates no new legal obligations for employers.
The guidance continues to recommend practices that reduce the risk of exposure in the workplace such as the wearing of face coverings, distancing, and frequent disinfecting. In addition, the guidance recommends employers implement a COVID-19 Prevention Program including a hazard assessment, identify measures that limit the spread, identify and remove sick and infected workers from the workplace and implement measures to protect employees who raise concerns from retaliation by other workers or management.
While the guidance is a helpful tool, what constitutes appropriate practices for addressing COVID-19 in the workplace is unique to each employer. Therefore, employers should consult with their attorney when creating and implementing policies and practices.
The new guidance can be found here: Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace