February 18, 2021
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Worker Training Program (NIEHS WTP) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have developed new resources that address workplace health and safety issues related to COVID-19 and vaccination programs for employers. Fact sheets and other resources from the NIEHS WTP and OSHA are now available.
Resources from NIEHS
- A fact sheet that covers general COVID-19 vaccine information for workers (fact sheet)
- A fact sheet describing the elements of a model workplace vaccination program (fact sheet), which is intended to help individuals responsible for developing and implementing such programs
These fact sheets are additions to a range of tools that WTP has developed for employers and workers who may be at risk of exposure to COVID-19. The NIEHS WTP website includes training resources, links to resources developed by WTP’s academic, union, and organizational partners, and guidance published by federal agencies.
Resources from OSHA
- OSHA has recently posted new guidance on mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Link here for an OSHA Fact Sheet highlighting the new guidance, which is intended to inform employers and workers in most workplace settings outside of healthcare to help them identify risks of being exposed to and/or contracting COVID-19 at work and to help them determine appropriate control measures to implement. With this guidance, OSHA is suggesting that employers should implement COVID-19 prevention programs.
- The OSHA guidance contains recommendations, but also includes the mandatory safety and health standards that have already been established. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthy workplace.
- According to OSHA, the most effective programs engage workers and their union or representatives in the program’s development. The guidance covers the following:
- Hazard assessments;
- Measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 (roles of employers and workers and training on COVID-19);
- Isolation or separation measures of infected workers from the workplace (physical distancing, installing barriers or staying home);
- Use of personal protective equipment; and
- Improvements in ventilation, hygiene and sanitation
- Note: separate OSHA guidance applicable to healthcare (CDC guidance) and emergency response (CDC guidance) settings is also available, as well as industry-specific guidance.
This guidance will continue to be updated over time to reflect developments in science, best practices, and standards. Employers should review this guidance carefully and implement new recommendations as applicable and appropriate. In addition, employers should continue to monitor the OSHA website for any changes in COVID-19 best practices and standards.
Please contact your Conner Strong & Buckelew account representative toll-free at 1-877-861-3220 with any questions.
Click here for a printable download.
NOTE: THE RESOURCES PROVIDED ON THIS PAGE SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR LEGAL COUNSEL
