Source: USDOL, 6/18/20 The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance to
assist employers reopening non-essential businesses and their employees
returning to work during the evolving coronavirus pandemic.The guidance supplements the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ previously developed Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 and the White House’s Guidelines for Opening up America Again. The guidelines provide general principles for updating
restrictions originally put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
During each phase of the reopening process, employers should continue to
focus on strategies for basic hygiene, social distancing, identification
and isolation of sick employees, workplace controls and flexibilities, and
employee training. Non-essential businesses should reopen as state and local
governments lift stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders and follow public
health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
other federal requirements or guidelines. Employers should continue to consider
ways to use workplace flexibilities, such as remote work and alternative
business operations, to provide goods and services to customers. OSHA recommends that employers continually monitor federal,
state, and local government guidelines for updated information about ongoing
community transmission and mitigation measures, as well as for evolving
guidance on disinfection and other best practices for worker protection. Visit OSHA’s coronavirus webpage frequently for
updates. For further information about the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and
develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United
States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable
employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
|