OSHA Publishes Reminder for Reopening Businesses

Earlier this week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a reminder to businesses looking to reopen after having been closed for months due to COVID-19. OSHA reminds employers that worker safety is still “a priority amid both coronavirus and common workplace hazards.“ OSHA is stressing that employers should have a sound plan for bringing workers back into the workplace, including addressing COVID-19 exposure, work schedules, employee fatigue and stress, training refreshers and any new policies. OSHA also reminds employers that they are prohibited “from retaliating against workers for raising concerns about safety and health conditions.”

OSHA also lists a number of guidance documents for employers to help with creating new COVID-19 policies and practices, including:

• Workplace flexibilities;
• Engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices and personal protective equipment;
• Training workers on the signs, symptoms and risk factors associated with the coronavirus;
• Basic hygiene and housekeeping practices;
• Social distancing practices;
• Identifying and isolating sick workers;
• Return to work after worker illness or exposure; and
• Anti-retaliation practices.

Click here to review OSHA’s announcement and here for more information on OSHA’s COVID-19 regulations, guidance, FAQs and other resources. You may also contact Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.