In response to a directive from President Biden, OSHA has issued stronger workplace safety guidance to help employers and workers implement a coronavirus protection program and better identify risks which could lead to exposure and contraction.
Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace provides updated guidance and recommends several essential elements in a prevention program:
- Conduct a hazard assessment.
- Identify control measures to limit the spread of the virus.
- Adopt policies for absences that don’t punish potentially infected workers who stay home.
- Ensure that COVID-19 policies and procedures are communicated to both English and non-English speaking workers.
- Implement protections from retaliation for workers who raise coronavirus-related concerns.
OSHA will update its guidance as developments in science, best practices and standards warrant.