The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued stronger worker safety guidance to help employers and workers implement a coronavirus protection program and better identify risks which could lead to exposure and contraction. Recently, President Biden had directed OSHA to release clear guidance for employers to help keep workers safe from COVID-19 exposure.
Implementing a coronavirus protection program is the most effective way to reduce the spread of the virus. The guidance announced today 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 employee absences that don’t punish workers as a way to encourage potentially infected workers to remain home.
Ensure that coronavirus policies and procedures are communicated to both English and non-English speaking workers.