The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a fair amount of guidance to assist employers in their efforts to provide a safe work environment for their workers during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to this guidance, OSHA has also created a COVID-19 website where employers can access information about the latest agency updates and tailored advice on how to comply with workplace safety standards during this COVID-19 pandemic. This Compliance Bulletin provides OSHA’s answers to a number of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about its COVID-19 guidance on:
- General information
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Cloth face coverings
- Construction
- Employer requirements
- Healthcare
- Liability waivers
- Personal protective equipment
- Reporting
- Restrooms and handwashing facilities
- Retaliation
- Return to work
- Testing for COVID-19
- Training
- Worker protection concerns
Action Steps
Employers should review these FAQs to gain a better understanding of their workplace safety obligations during the pandemic. Employers in states with OSHA-approved state programs should also consult with their OSHA state agency.
Employers should visit the OSHA COVID-19 news and updates website to remain up to date on OSHA’s guidance and publications.
General Resources
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. OSHA Publication 3990 (March 2020). Also available in Spanish.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Protecting Workers During a Pandemic. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Returning to Work
Guidelines for Opening up America Again. The White House.
COVID-19 Returning Workers Training Tool. National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
COVID-19 Workers Training Tool mobile application. National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Download a copy of the complete OSHA FAQ’s
This Compliance Bulletin is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice. Design ©2020 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
