An Employer’s Guide To COVID-19 Emergency Planning
OSHA has issued general guidance for employers
This article addresses steps employers should take in emergency and business continuity planning during a pandemic such as COVID-19.[1] Although the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has not adopted a standard addressing employers’ obligations to safeguard employees during a pandemic, OSHA has issued general guidance for employers as a direct result of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S.[2]
The OSHA guidance (which is not mandatory as it does not constitute a law or regulation) encourages employers to take all the following actions during COVID-19:
- Create an infectious disease preparedness and response plan. This plan should:
- Identify potential sources of infection inside and outside of the workplace.
- Identify and implement controls to reduce exposure, such as use of personal protective equipment.
- Prepare for increased absenteeism and supply chain disruptions.
- Consider downsizing or closing operations.
- Prepare and implement basic infection prevention measures not included in existing OSHA requirements. These measures should encourage:
- Handwashing;
- Covering coughs and sneezes;
- Social distancing; and
- Employees to stay home if they are ill.
- Develop procedures for prompt identification and isolation of ill employees and visitors.
- Consider and implement flexible work arrangements, such as working remotely, reducing hours, and alternating schedules.
- Adhere to OSHA standards for sanitary workplace.
Exposure-Risk Categories
On April 13, OSHA also issued a coronavirus response plan titled “Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019.”[3] The plan describes the following three exposure-risk categories applicable in various work settings.
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