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

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OSHA has released the following guidance on how to protect workers from coronavirus exposure. 

 

 

All employers should:

•   Develop an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (If one does not already exist)

  • Follow federal, state, and local health agency guidance

  • Consider and address levels of risk, including possible exposure sources including non-occupational risk factors, individual risk factors of workers (underlying conditions, older age)

  • Expect increased rates of absenteeism, the requirement of social distancing, the possibility of staggered work shifts and other measures to limit exposure

• Prepare to Implement Basic Infection Prevention Measures

  • Promote frequent and thorough handwashing

  • Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick

  • Proper respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes)

• Develop Policies and Procedures for Prompt Identification and Isolation of Sick People, if Appropriate

  • Prompt identification and isolation of potentially infected individuals

  • Inform and encourage self-monitoring of employees

  • Develop policies and procedures for reporting symptoms or possible exposure

• Develop, Implement, and Communicate about Workplace Flexibilities and Protections

  • Encourage sick employees to isolate

  • Ensure flexible sick leave policies

  • Encourage other companies providing contract or temporary employees to also develop non-punitive leave policies

  • Do not require sick note from healthcare professional to validate time off

  • Maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for others that may be ill

• Implement Workplace Controls

  • Engineering Controls

    • High-efficiency air filters

    • Increase ventilation rates

    • Install physical barriers such as clear plastic sneeze guards

    • install drive-thru window for customer service

    • Negative pressure ventilation

  • Administrative Controls

    • Encourage sick workers to stay home

    • Minimize all worker and client contact, use virtual communication and telework as much as possible

    • Establish alternating or staggered shifts

    • Discontinue non-essential travel to locations with ongoing outbreaks

    • Develop emergency communication plans, allowing workers to express any concerns

    • Train all workers who need to use PPE

  • Safe Work Practices

    • Provide necessities for personal hygiene (soap, disinfectant, hand sanitizer)

    • Post handwashing signs, require regular handwashing

  • PPE

    • Use PPE based on the hazard to the worker

    • Must be properly fitted and periodically refitted, as applicable

    • Consistently and properly work when required

    • Regularly inspected, and replaced when necessary

    • 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:

• NIOSH-approved N95 respirators or better (we maintain a small stock of these in our Salisbury office)

• When N95 is not available, consider using others that may provide greater protection: 

  • a R/P95, N/R/P99, or N/R/P100 filtering facepiece respirator;

  • an air-purifying elastomeric (e.g., half-face or full-face) respirator with appropriate filters or cartridges;

  • powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) with high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter;

  • or supplied air respirator (SAR)

  • Outdated or foreign respirators may be used - see more details here

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For the complete OSHA guide on coronavirus, click here.

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