The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued new workplace safety guidance to help prevent and manage the spread of COVID-19. The guidance emphasizes the importance of mask wearing, social distancing and risk mitigation. Employees and employers are encouraged to work together to develop a prevention program.
Elements of the suggested prevention programs include
• identifying potential exposures and measures that limit the spread of the virus,
• ensuring workers infected or exposed to COVID-19 can be separated and sent home,
• considering additional protections for workers at higher risk,
• implementing protections for workers who raise COVID-19 concerns, and
• reporting COVID-19 infections and deaths.
One noteworthy point is that OSHA advises that a COVID diagnosis that is work-related must be recorded for reporting purposes on Form 300 logs when
1. the case is a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis;
2. the case is work-related; and
3. the case involves one or more relevant recording criteria (e.g., medical treatment, days away from work).
Additional requirements apply when reporting fatalities or hospitalizations.
