The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have issued a number of guidance on recommended steps to take to protect employees from contracting COVID-19. Its most recent guidance addresses employers that are reopening non-essential businesses. The guidance supplements the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ previously developed guides.
The OSHA guidance can be assessed at:
- Guidance on Returning to Work, which provides an update on the opening of non-essential businesses.
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, which provides general workplace principles to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
- Guidance for Stockroom and Loading Dock Workers, which provides “tips” for reducing the exposure to Covid-10 by stockroom workers.
- Guidance on Social Distancing at Work, which provides a checklist for social distancing at work.
- Construction Work, which identifies the risk factors and steps to take to limit exposure to COVID-19 for construction sites.
It is important to understand that the guidance OSHA issues are recommendations, and not enforceable rules. Failure to follow the guidelines will not automatically result in any liability or a citation by OSHA. Nonetheless, each guidance is likely to be considered the reasonable steps that all retailers and contractors should take to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19. It is, therefore, recommended that retailers and contractors apply these guides to the extent practicable.
OSHA regularly updates its guidance and all flooring retailers and contractors should check to see if any new guidance is published. WFCA members can access any updates by visiting the OSHA Coronavirus Webpage.
WFCA will continue to provide updates on any new guidance.
Notice: The information contained in this update is abridged from legislation, court decisions, and administrative rulings, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for the advice of counsel.
