OSHA Guidance to Reopen Responsibly

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires employers to comply with safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan.

Throughout the pandemic, OSHA has been committed to protecting the health and safety of America’s workers and workplaces. The agency has issued a series of industry-specific alerts designed to keep workers safe and overall guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19.

These documents contain recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in reopening responsibly.

While many of the industry-specific alerts have similar recommendations, especially around alleviating employee fears with communications and enhanced high-touch surface COVID-19 cleaning, OSHA has specifically engineered these worksheets to be easily consumable for each industry.

Below are highlights of the industry tips that can help your organization reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus.

Manufacturing Industry Workforce

• Establish flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts), if feasible.
• For work activities where social distancing is a challenge, consider limiting the duration of these activities and/or implementing innovative approaches, such as temporarily moving or repositioning workstations to create more distance or installing barriers (e.g., plexiglass shields) between workstations.
• Train workers on how to properly put on, use, take off, and maintain protective clothing and equipment.
• Discourage workers from using other workers’ tools and equipment.
• Make sure Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved cleaning chemicals are used from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus.
• Promote personal hygiene. If workers do not have access to soap and water for handwashing, provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Provide disinfectants and disposable towels workers can use to clean work surfaces.
• Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.

Download the full worksheet: COVID-19 Guidance for the Manufacturing Industry Workforce

Stockroom and Loading Dock Workers

• Monitor public health communications about COVID-19 recommendations for the workplace and ensure that workers have access to and understand that information.
• Train workers on how to properly put on, use, take off, and maintain protective clothing and equipment.
• Allow workers to wear masks over their noses and mouth to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Make sure EPA-approved cleaning chemicals are used from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus.
• Promote personal hygiene. If workers do not have access to soap and water for handwashing, provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Provide disinfectants and disposable towels workers can use to clean work surfaces.

Download the full worksheet: COVID-19 Guidance for Stockroom and Loading Dock Workers

COVID-19 Guidance for Retail Workers

• Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick.
• Provide a place to wash hands and supply alcohol-based hand soaps containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Maintain regular housekeeping practices, including routine cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment with EPA-approved cleaning chemicals from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus.
• Practice sensible social distancing. Workplaces, where social distancing is a challenge, should consider innovative approaches, such as opening only every other cash register, temporarily moving workstations to create more distance, and installing plexiglass partitions.
• Use a drive-through window or curbside pick-up.
• Provide workers and customers with tissues and trash receptacles.

Download the full worksheet: COVID-19 Guidance for Retail Workers

Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Facility Workers

• Screen workers and residents regularly for signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Send sick workers home or seek medical care.
• Closely monitor and take additional precautions regarding employees and residents who may have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19.
• Follow CDC guidance on updating existing resident visitation policies.
• Ask visitors to inform the facility if they develop a fever or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of their visit.
• Always follow good infection prevention and control practices. Consult OSHA’s COVID-19 guidance for healthcare workers and employers.
• Regularly clean and disinfect shared equipment and frequently touched surfaces in resident rooms, staff workstations, and common areas.
• Continually monitor PPE stocks, burn rate, and supply chains. Develop a process for decontamination and reuse of PPE, such as face shields and goggles, as appropriate. Follow CDC recommendations for the optimization of PPE supplies.

Download the full worksheet: COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Facility Workers

As you work through these requirements, know that Flagship is ready to join you on the frontlines – fighting this pandemic at your facilities with methodologies designed to protect the health and safety of your employees and guests. View our new free resource on Staying Open Responsibly. 

For a full list of the OSHA industry worksheets and more information, visit the OSHA Coronavirus Page or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).