On Aug. 13, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published updated guidance to help employers protect their workers from COVID-19.
The new guidance is based on developments in science and data, including the updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued July 27.
The updated guidance expands on measures for protecting higher-risk workplaces with mixed-vaccination status workers in the following industries:
- Meat
- Seafood and poultry processing
- High volume retail and grocery
- Agriculture processing
These industries are where prolonged close contact with other workers and/or non-workers is most likely to occur. Retail and grocery settings are especially vulnerable, as the vaccination status of customers is unknown.
In the updated OSHA COVID-19 guidance, the administration continued to emphasize that vaccination is the ideal step to protect workers. Officials also encourage employers to communicate with workers and their representatives to implement multi-layered approaches to protect unvaccinated or other at-risk workers from the coronavirus.
Key guidance from the OSHA COVID-19 update
- Recommendations that fully vaccinated workers in areas of substantial or high community transmission wear masks in order to protect unvaccinated workers
- Recommendations that fully vaccinated workers who have close contacts with people with coronavirus wear masks for up to 14 days unless they have a negative coronavirus test at least 3-5 days after such contact
- Clarified recommendations for protecting unvaccinated workers and other at-risk workers in manufacturing, meat and poultry processing, seafood processing, and agricultural processing
- Links to the latest guidance on K-12 schools and CDC statements on public transit
Emergency temporary standard updates
The agency has stated its ongoing commitment to review the COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard every 30-days.
After reviewing the latest guidance, science and data, and consulting with the CDC and other partners, OSHA has determined that the safeguards set forth in the standard remain more important than ever—and that the requirements of the ETS are still necessary in order to address the danger of COVID-19 in healthcare.
OSHA plans to continue to monitor and assess the need for updates to the standard each month.
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About Worksite Medical
In most cases, OSHA requires medical surveillance testing, and at no cost to employees.
Worksite Medical makes that program easier with mobile medical testing.
We conduct on-site respirator fit tests, as well as audiometric exams, pulmonary function tests and heavy metal lab work, right on your job site. We also keep accurate, easy-to-access medical records for your convenience. You’ll keep your employees at work, and stay ahead of OSHA inspections.
With Worksite Medical, a mobile medical testing unit — we can bring all the resources of a lab to you. Our certified lab technicians can perform both qualitative and quantitative respirator tests to ensure a perfect fit.
Protect your team and your workplace now with Worksite Medical. Not sure what you need? Try our medical testing wizard here.
Give us a call at 1-844-622-8633, or complete the form below to schedule an on-site visit or to get your free quote!
