For public and private employers, OSHA has developed Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 that is advisory in nature and should be used to help identify possible work-related exposure and health risks and to determine which control measures are most appropriate to implement in the workplace (See full PDF). Additionally, the CDC has published Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (See all info). Employers should consult these guidance documents to help provide a safe and healthful workplace and to prevent worker exposure to COVID-19.
For employers who are required to comply with the Respiratory Protection Standard of 29 CFR 1910.134, OSHA has issued Temporary Enforcement Guidance directing OSHA field offices to exercise enforcement discretion regarding the required annual fit-testing (See full release).
The day following the CDC’s publication of the Interim Guidance: Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 recommending that mass gatherings and events with 50 or more people should be cancelled or postponed (See full PDF), the President issued more stringent guidelines, The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, in which it is advised to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people. Employers should consider adjusting or delaying large work events and conferences.
During this time, non-essential business travel within the United States should be limited or rescheduled and international travel must be in accordance with the travel restrictions issued by the President. Entry is barred for all foreign nationals (except permanent residents) travelling from, or who had visited, during the previous 14 days: Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.
Employers should continue to check with relevant authorities for the latest information:
-CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html)
-NIOSH (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emres/2019_ncov.html)
-State Department (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html)
-OSHA (https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/).
California
Cal/OSHA has published Interim Guidelines for General Industry on 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/coronavirus/General-Industry.pdf). Employers should review the recomendations and standards detailed in the guidelines, as well as the health and safety procedures already in place, to ensure that employees are protected from COVID-19. These guidelines are for general industry employers – health care employers and employees should consult the Interim Guidance for Protecting Health Care Workers from Exposure to 2019 Novel Coronavirus. A list of guidance documents applicable to various industries, facilities, and operations can be found here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Guidance.aspx. The California’s Labor & Workforce Development Agency is maintaining a central repository of employment-related information so that employers and employees understand what resources are available at this time.
Employers should continue to check with relevant authorities for the latest information:
-Cal/OSHA (https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/coronavirus/Health-Care-General-Industry.html)
-LWDA (https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/)
-CDPH (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/New-Release-2020.aspx).