COVID-19 Safety Requirements for NJ Businesses

On October 28, Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order (EO) 192 to establish a set of minimum coronavirus safety standards that employers in the Garden State must adhere to in absence of Federal OSHA safety standards. The EO goes into effect at 6:00 am on Thursday, November 5, 2020.

These safety standards were unveiled to help guide New Jersey through the state’s economic recovery plan titled “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health through Public Health.” “The Road Back” outlines a 3-stage process to gradually return to normal activities without sacrificing public health. As of June 15, the state is in Stage 2 of the economic restart plan. Stage 2 allows many businesses to reopen, but with several requirements imposed to protect workers and customers.



As required by the EO, NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) will provide training to employers on the new safety standards. This training must cover at least the guidance issued in Paragraph 1 of the EO. Therefore, training may include, but is not limited to:

• How to maintain social distancing in the workplace and what to do when a six-foot distance is not attainable;
• Face covering requirements and exceptions for employees;
• Proper hand hygiene as well as proper glove usage;
• Cleaning and sanitizing high-touch surfaces such as workstations, equipment, screens, doorknobs, and restrooms;
• How to conduct worker health screenings; and
• What to do if there is a suspected positive COVID-19 case in the workplace.

Starting November 5, employers in NJ will have to follow the safety procedures outlined in the DOLWD training. In addition, employers must continue to follow guidelines and recommendations issued by the State Department of Health, CDC, and OSHA.

The EO also authorizes DOLWD to create an “intake mechanism” to receive COVID-19-specific health and safety concerns from NJ workers. DOLWD, in coordination with the Department of Health, may consider and act on these complaints at its discretion.

Find additional COVID-19 updates and information from the State of NJ here.

COVID-19 Safety Awareness Online Training

Lion recently launched the COVID-19 Employee Safety Awareness Online Course to help US workplaces re-open safely. As facilities nationwide begin to re-open, it is crucial that employees know how to protect themselves and their co-workers from exposure to COVID-19.

The course prepares employees to:

• Recognize signs, symptoms, and risk factors for COVID-19
• Describe how the COVID-19 disease is transmitted
• Follow recommended hygiene and work protocols to prevent exposure
•  Properly use and care for PPE and face coverings, when required 

Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, New Jersey, New Jersey COVID-19, NJ, osha, workplace safety