The guidance publication includes charts and examples of how to implement safety principles for reopening.
On June 18, 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released guidance to help employers plan how to reopen nonessential businesses. The guidance also addresses issues employers should consider as they ask their employees to return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OSHA’s publication of guidelines for reopening nonessential businesses includes charts, examples, and illustrations of how to implement safety principles for reopening. Specifically, this new guidance covers:Â
- How to plan a reopening
- OSHA standards and required protections in the workplace
- Available OSHA assistance programs
- Answers to employers frequently asked questions.Â
OSHA has stated that this new guidance is meant to supplement the White House’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again and the Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 developed by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. As a result, a business should follow local timelines and phased reopening plans as they implement OSHA’s guidance.Â
Employers should also continue to monitor federal, state, and local updates about community disinfection, best practices, and transmission mitigation measures. For example, employers can visit OSHA’ s coronavirus webpage and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for updates.
This Legal Update is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice.Â