Protecting workers from coronavirus
For businesses with some or all employees on-site, social distancing and good hygiene are key to preventing further spread of COVID-19. That presents challenges for businesses, but we must all do our part to adapt and keep our communities safe.
- Remote work – If at all possible, allow employees to work from home.
- Hazard assessment – If employees are working on-site, conduct a workplace assessment to identify if and when employees on-site could be at risk of exposure to COVID-19.
- OSHA standards – Stay up to date on OSHA standards related to personal protective equipment, respiratory protection and assessing hazards.
- Sick employees – Employees should not be in the workplace if they are sick (with or without a fever), have traveled to a location with known community spread, or have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 or similar symptoms. Employees who show symptoms during the day should be separated from others and sent home.
- Social distancing – Employees should practice strict social distancing at work when on-site. This means not being within six feet of each other, shaking hands, sharing work tools or materials, or gathering in groups.
- Hand washing – Employees should wash their hands throughout the day with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol.
- Cleaning and disinfecting – Perform routine environmental cleaning of all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops and doorknobs.
- Signage at work – Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene where they are likely to be seen.