With more than 25 years of experience as an environmental, health and safety consultant to multinational corporations, Cornerstone Environmental, Health and Safety is working hard to remain abreast of the latest information regarding COVID-19 as we battle this pandemic together. We want to ensure our clients and our associates stay informed.

WEBSITES

Accordingly, we have found the following sites are providing relevant, up-to-the-minute information on the pandemic: OSHA Covid-19 Topic Page                 https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/ EPA Coronavirus Page                         https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus CDC Coronavirus Page                         https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html WHO Coronavirus Page                      https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

OSHA AND STATE STANDARDS

While there are no new OSHA regulations specific to the coronavirus, OSHA points out that employers should be specifically aware of OSHA’s existing standards on PPE, bloodborne pathogens, and sanitation, among others. OSHA also suggests that employers consult California’s standards on preventing infectious diseases that can be transmitted by inhaling air. Each of these standards and requirements have potential applicability in dealing with the coronavirus and/or may provide a “framework that may help control some sources of the virus.” OSHA General Duty Clause                                  https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/oshact/section5-duties OSHA PPE                                                                    https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/oshact/section5-duties OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens                             https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030 OSHA Sanitation                                                        https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.141 California Aerosol Transmissible Disease       https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.141  

OSHA Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

In the OSHA document titled “OSHA Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” the agency gives specific prevention and control guidance for general workers and those in specific at-risk industries. OSHA recommends that employers do the following:
      • Develop an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (including contingency plans for dealing with a reduced workforce)
      • Prepare to Implement Basic Infection Prevention Measures (such as promoting frequent hand washing, ensuring regular cleaning and housekeeping, encouraging employees to stay home if they are feeling sick, and discouraging the shared use of phones, desks, and other equipment)
      • Develop Policies and Procedures for Prompt Identification and Isolation of Sick People
      • Develop, Implement, and Communicate about Workplace Flexibilities and Protections
      • Implement Workplace Controls (including physical barriers and proper ventilation, discontinuing non-essential travel, training to employees on proper precautions, and personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, face masks, respiratory protection, and other gear where appropriate)
  For the full guidance document see this website.

OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for Covid – 19

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

 

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

The following documents are additional ones that we have found useful from our sources:

CDC Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators during the COVID-19 Response

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/checklist-n95-strategy.html

EPA List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

 

OSHA Recording Workplace Exposures to COVID-19

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/standards.html

 

OSHA Standard 1904.5 – Determination of Work-Relatedness

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1904/1904.5

 
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