Osha Issues New and Stronger Virus Guidance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on January 29, 2021, new and stronger workplace guidance on the Coronavirus.  Implementing a Coronavirus Prevention Program, according to OSHA, is the most effective way to reduce the spread of the virus.  The guidance 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 do not 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; and
• Implement protections from retaliation for workers who raise Coronavirus-related concerns.  

The guidance is not a standard regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations.  It contains recommendations as well as descriptions of existing mandatory safety and health standards.  The recommendations are advisory in nature.

This is part of our March 2021 Newsletter.

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