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Updated Guidance for Protecting Your Workers as America Reopens

May 28, 2020

From the St. Louis Area OSHA Office:

The intent of this information is to provide you with guidance in protecting your workers during the pandemic and challenges faced as we open up America again.  Please feel free to disseminate this information as you deem appropriate:

  • On May 26, 2020 the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a webpage with coronavirus-related guidance for construction employers and workers. The guidance includes recommended actions to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus
  • The this PDF file “Workplace COVID-19 Resources” (updated 05/26/20) provides links to resources released over the last several weeks on OSHA’s webpage, and those of several other agencies and organizations.  Included is a list of general COVID-19 resources grouped by agency and additional industry-specific COVID-19 resources grouped by industry.  It is intended as a resource and is not comprehensive.  OSHA’s primary resource is the COVID-19 Safety and Health Topics Page this page is being updated routinely and we encourage you to review it frequently.  
  • CDC’s primary resource is the CDC COVID-19 Official Webpage.  CDC will continue to update recommendations for employers responding to COVID-19, including those seeking to resume normal or phased business operations.  This page is being updated routinely and we encourage you to review it frequently.

Additional Resources not included in the attachment include:

  • From Dr. Ann Marie Dale with Washington University:  On Wednesday, April 29, 2020 the Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest released the Total Worker Health® Employer Guide: COVID-19 Edition. The Healthy Work Center has pulled together key resources from the CDC, WHO, CPWR, Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest, along with others who are leading the way in research on the virus and guidance for employers on the best practices to keep their workplace safe. You can find construction specific resources, such as toolbox talks, guidance on cleaning tools, etc., as well as general business information, webinars, infographics, and more on their website:  https://oshr.wustl.edu/for-employers/covid-19-resources/.
  • The AIHA Coronavirus Resource Center provides guidance materials, including guidance with going back to work safety for several industries, including at-home service providers, construction, offices, gyms, hair and nail salons, retail, restaurants, and passenger drive-for-hire companies (e.g, rideshare, taxis, limos). 
  • The ASSP is also monitoring the latest developments on COVID-19 and providing up-to-date information and resources on their ASSP COVID-19 Resource Center.

Additional Updates:

  • The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, originally scheduled for May 4-8, 2020, was postponed. A new date has not been selected.  Some employers conducted stand-downs last week and we will try to provide these companies with certificates – please submit certificate requests to martin.maryanne.t@dol.gov.
  • OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention campaign educates employers and workers on the dangers of working in the heat. Our safety message comes down to three key words: Water. Rest. Shade.
  • NUCA plans to proceed with the Trench Safety Stand-Down on June 15-19, 2020.
  • Safe + Sound Week is still planned for Aug. 10-16, 2020  OSHA is exploring more virtual options for participating in the week and will be sending out additional information as we get closer to the event.
  • The Teen Safe Summer Job Social Media Campaign has been postponed due to the focus on COVID-19.  However, we have learned of the need for information sharing about training resources for educators who are engaging with students remotely and their parents.  As a result, they are morphing the webpage (KeepTeenWorkersSafe.org) into a resource page which includes links for youth related materials from:  OSHA, NIOSH, Department of Labor, National Safety Council, Young Workers.org, CPWR, CareerSafe, and links for COVID-19 information.