On July 27, 2021, the CDC updated its Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. Throughout the pandemic, OSHA has remained in lockstep with CDC guidance and, as a result, Cornerstone anticipates OSHA will require the updated CDC mask recommendations for fully vaccinated people in areas of significant or high transmission. This update in policy serves as a reminder that employers should continually assess their worker safety plans to determine the risk to their workplace and the appropriate controls for protecting employees against COVID-19.

What has changed?

CDC updates include:
      • Changes to guidance for fully vaccinated people given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant currently circulating in the United States.
      • A recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear face masks in public, indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
      • Additional information that fully vaccinated people may choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease, or not fully vaccinated.
      • A recommendation for fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
      • CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Employers can visit the CDC’s website to determine if their workplace is located in an area of substantial or high transmission and if the new CDC guidance applies to their workplace.

OSHA Enforcement

On June 17, 2021, OSHA issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID for Healthcare facilities. The ETS became effective upon publication. It is limited in its scope and covered specific healthcare facilities; however, OSHA still has the General Duty Clause available at its disposal to address those workplaces not covered under the scope of the ETS. The following excerpt is taken from an OSHA Memorandum, Subject: Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 highlights OSHA’s position on this matter: “Through the procedures and instructions in this updated memo, OSHA will prioritize its enforcement resources to ensure employers eliminate and control workplace exposures to SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The following summarizes OSHA’s updated enforcement strategy for reducing the risk of workplace transmissions of SARS-CoV-2: OSHA will continue to implement the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to OSHA CSHOs during inspections and recommend following current COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC.” This makes clear OSHA’s commitment to aligning their guidance and enforcement with the CDC.

Further Information

Cornerstone’s Health and Safety department has developed a program for industrial facilities to reduce workers’ exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.  Contact us at info@corner-enviro.com or on our website https://www.cornerstone-ehs.com/contact-us/ for more information.
David Blane is a Senior Health and Safety Specialist.  He is a Certified Safety Professional by the Board of Safety Professionals.  He currently provides health and safety compliance auditing, program development, training, and industrial hygiene monitoring to Cornerstone’s industrial and construction sector clients. Blane formerly served as an OSHA compliance inspector.
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