Return to Work: Recommendations to Keep Employees Safe

Last month, OSHA issued guidance to help employers ensure safe social distancing as many workers across the US return to work. The alert details a variety of ways managers and safety officers can implement social distancing to prevent coronavirus spread.

These social distancing measures include:

• Establishing telecommuting or flexible worksites.
• Implementing flexible work shifts and staggering breaks.
• Re-arranging seating in common areas.
• Repositioning workstations to create more distance and installing plexiglass partitions where repositioning is not feasible.

For customer-facing workplaces, OSHA recommends marking six-foot distances with floor tape where lines form, encouraging customers to use drive-through windows or curbside pickup and limiting the number of customers allowed indoors at one time.

Workers should still be encouraged to stay home or seek medical care if they are exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19. OSHA also recommends encouraging employees to report any safety or health concerns to their managers.

The one-page alert is available now in English and Spanish.

These measures should be utilized in addition to safe and frequent disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and encouraging workers to wear face coverings when unable to social distance.

Convenient, Online OSHA Safety Training

Industry professionals worldwide are turning to online training to keep operations on track and protect employees. Lion’s online OSHA courses can help ensure your workers know their responsibilities, even when your team is spread out across multiple locations.
 
Lion’s most popular OSHA courses:
Respiratory Protection (in English or Spanish)
Personal Protective Equipment
10-Hour OSHA General Industry
Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
Health and Safety Management
 

Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, infectious diseases safety, osha, osha coronavirus guidance, social distancing, workplace safety