As some states begin the phased-reopening of businesses pursuant to stay-at-home orders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued recommended workplace safety alerts in English and Spanish for businesses in the following industries: nursing homes and long-term care facilities; ride-hailing, car and taxi service companies; and retail pharmacies.  These one-page workplace alerts are in addition to others that were earlier issued by OSHA for other businesses, including the package delivery, construction, manufacturing, and dentistry industries.  Some of these recommendations include the installation of plastic barriers, continuation of social distancing of at least 6 feet between workers and patrons, and routine cleaning and disinfecting commonly-used surfaces.  As a reminder, these OSHA alerts are recommendations and not formal rules by the agency.  However, as a reminder, OSHA can still hold employers liable if they are found to violate the Act’s general duty to protect the health and safety of its workers.    

To find out more information on the interim guidance being issued by OSHA on an ongoing basis that employers can access to protect workers in the workplace from exposure to COVID-19, please go to OSHA’s website at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html.