COVID-19/Coronavirus
Downloads & Resources
Download Sample Coronavirus Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response Plan | Download Checklist | OSHA Guide |
Prevent Worker Exposure Guide | Respiratory Protection Alternatives | OSHA Coronavirus Safety Poster | OSHA Coronavirus Safety Poster ESP
Overview
OSHA has released the following guidance on how to protect workers from coronavirus exposure.
All employers should:
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Develop an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (If one does not already exist)
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Follow federal, state, and local health agency guidance
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Consider and address levels of risk, including possible exposure sources including non-occupational risk factors, individual risk factors of workers (underlying conditions, older age)
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Expect increased rates of absenteeism, the requirement of social distancing, the possibility of staggered work shifts and other measures to limit exposure
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Prepare to Implement Basic Infection Prevention Measures
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Promote frequent and thorough handwashing
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Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick
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Proper respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes)
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Develop Policies and Procedures for Prompt Identification and Isolation of Sick People, if Appropriate
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Prompt identification and isolation of potentially infected individuals
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Inform and encourage self-monitoring of employees
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Develop policies and procedures for reporting symptoms or possible exposure
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Develop, Implement, and Communicate about Workplace Flexibilities and Protections
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Encourage sick employees to isolate
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Ensure flexible sick leave policies
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Encourage other companies providing contract or temporary employees to also develop non-punitive leave policies
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Do not require sick note from healthcare professional to validate time off
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Maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for others that may be ill
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Implement Workplace Controls
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Engineering Controls
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High-efficiency air filters
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Increase ventilation rates
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Install physical barriers such as clear plastic sneeze guards
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install drive-thru window for customer service
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Negative pressure ventilation
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Administrative Controls
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Encourage sick workers to stay home
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Minimize all worker and client contact, use virtual communication and telework as much as possible
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Establish alternating or staggered shifts
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Discontinue non-essential travel to locations with ongoing outbreaks
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Develop emergency communication plans, allowing workers to express any concerns
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Train all workers who need to use PPE
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Safe Work Practices
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Provide necessities for personal hygiene (soap, disinfectant, hand sanitizer)
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Post handwashing signs, require regular handwashing
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PPE
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Use PPE based on the hazard to the worker
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Must be properly fitted and periodically refitted, as applicable
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Consistently and properly work when required
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Regularly inspected, and replaced when necessary
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Properly removed, cleaned, stored and disposed of
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Employers with workers within six feet of patients known to be or suspected of being infected with coronavirus need to use respirators:
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NIOSH-approved N95 respirators or better (we maintain a small stock of these in our Salisbury office)
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When N95 is not available, consider using others that may provide greater protection:
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a R/P95, N/R/P99, or N/R/P100 filtering facepiece respirator;
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an air-purifying elastomeric (e.g., half-face or full-face) respirator with appropriate filters or cartridges;
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powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) with high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter;
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or supplied air respirator (SAR)
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Outdated or foreign respirators may be used - see more details here
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For the complete OSHA guide on coronavirus, click here.