by Cassie Lee When Cornerstone hosted our “COVID-19 Industrial Facilities Health and Safety on Restart” webinar in April reviewing the guidance from OSHA, EPA, CDC and other agencies on safely returning to the workplace, it was the most current information available at the time.  However, in these unprecedented times, information changes daily – and sometimes hourly. Therefore, we thought it was timely to provide a couple of quick highlights from the ever-evolving guidance for worker safety around COVID-19.  For all of the latest updates, we encourage you to visit the websites for the above agencies or reference the COVID-19 resource page on Cornerstone’s website. Face Coverings CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings as a protective measure in addition to social distancing. Cloth face covering may be especially important when social distancing is not possible or feasible based on working conditions Social Distancing In the workplace, working with less than 3 feet between co-workers should be avoided whenever possible – but if that is not feasible, a risk evaluation is critical. Then, use an engineering control such as a physical barrier between workers. Between 3 feet and up to 6 feet you should evaluate the risk and employ controls as warranted. Managing Suspected Cases In workplaces where exposure to COVID-19 may occur, prompt identification and isolation of potentially infectious individuals is a critical first step in protecting workers, visitors, and others at the work site. Wherever feasible, immediately isolate individuals suspected of having COVID-19.  In most types of workplaces (i.e., those outside of healthcare), Isolated individuals should leave the work site as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the isolated individual's illness, he or she might be able to return home or seek medical care on his or her own, but some individuals may need emergency medical services.

From the CDC: “Workers who appear to have symptoms including a cough or shortness of breath, or at least two of these: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell upon arrival at work or who become sick during the day should immediately be separated from others at the workplace and sent home."

Other CDC Updates Updated strategies and recommendations for employers responding to COVID-19, including those seeking to resume normal or phased business operations:

• • • Conducting daily health checks
    • Conducting a hazard assessment of the workplace
    • Encouraging employees to wear cloth face coverings in the workplace, if appropriate (see above)
    • Implementing policies and practices for social distancing in the workplace
    • Improving the building ventilation system including

  The agency also provided a table outlining the engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) that employers may use to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace   Need help? Cornerstone has subject matter experts who can assist your organization in developing and implementing a comprehensive infectious disease planning and response program to keep your employees safe.  Contact us today to put our industrial hygiene and occupational safety experts to work for you at info@corner-enviro.com or (317) 733-2637.