Per the “General Duty” clause from OSHA, employers are to provide a safe and healthy workplace free from hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm.
Employers should follow the recommendations for number of employees on a particular worksite and instruct employees on the practice of social distancing, or ensuring employees keep a six foot distance between one another while working. Employees should not share tools.
Employers should remind employees to take basic, preventative measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus at the workplace, including these recommendations:
- Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
- avoiding touching their eyes, nose and mouth;
- covering sneezes or coughs with tissues, if possible, or else with a sleeve or shoulder;
- avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
- staying home when sick; and
- cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects.
Employers should provide adequate supplies in the workplace for employees to follow these recommended practices.
CDC guidelines for protecting employees, which are updated regularly: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
