7 guidelines from OSHA on reopening the workforce

As states begin their reopening process, there are many guidelines in place to properly do so. Here are seven guidelines from OSHA on reopening the workforce.

News 12 Staff

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May 20, 2020, 4:15 PM

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Updated 1,675 days ago

As states begin their reopening process, there are many guidelines in place to properly do so. And this includes all sectors of the population and workforce. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the CDC have created lists for reopening the workforce and keeping employees safe.

Here are some of the top guidelines and suggestions from OSHA:

1 - Develop an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan
This plan should include protective actions against COVID-19. Things to consider in the plan are where, when and how workers might be exposed, non-occupational risk factors and workers’ individual risk factors (age, health, etc.). The plan should also include contingency plans, in accordance with federal, state and local laws, if an outbreak should arise.

2 - Prepare to Implement Basic Infection Prevention Measures
Employers should implement good hygiene and infection control practices such as promoting frequent hand washing, encourage employees to stay home if sick, encourage respiratory etiquette and provide tissues and trash bins. Employers should consider flexible work sites and work hours. Regular housekeeping should be maintained or increased.

3 - Develop Policies and Procedures for Prompt Identification and Isolation of Sick People, if Appropriate
Employers should encourage self-monitoring for symptoms.

4 - Develop, Implement, and Communicate about Workplace Flexibilities and Protections
Employers should encourage sick employees to stay home. Communicate sick leave policies with employees, and ensure that policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance. Maintain flexible policies to allow employees to care for sick family members.

5 - Implement Workplace Controls
Occupational safety and health professionals use a framework called the “hierarchy of controls” to select ways of controlling workplace hazards. For more on OSHA’s controls, click here.

6 - Follow Existing OSHA Standards
While there is no specific OSHA standard covering SARSCoV-2 exposure, some OSHA requirements may apply to preventing occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. To read about those, click here.

7 – Classify worker exposure to COVID-19
At each risk level (very high, high, medium and low), there are guidelines and recommendations to follow. To read more about that, click here.

To read more about the new guidelines the CDC put into place based on the president’s plan to open America again, click here.

MORE: Coronavirus Resources

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